Ex-Bay coach Dean Carelse a no-show at court

A former Gqeberha teacher and prominent water polo coach charged with distributing and possessing child exploitation material failed to appear at his first court appearance in Australia yesterday morning.

Dean Carelse, 40, had been due to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, according to the Sunshine Coast Daily (https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/). Carelse taught and coached sport at both Grey and Pearson high schools in Gqeberha before moving abroad.

Police from the Sunshine Coast Child Protection Unit charged him for allegedly possessing and distributing child exploitation material following a raid on his Mooloolaba home.

Police searched the former Matthew Flinders Anglican College teacher’s house on March 20 and seized a number of items. Carelse has since described the allegations as an “unfortunate misunderstanding”.

Appearing for Carelse, defence attorney Rachel Tallon told the court Carelse was in regular contact while on bail, the Sunshine Coast Daily (https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/) reported.

The matter was adjourned to June 2 for a committal mention (a hearing).

Water Polo Queensland issued a statement to club members in March confirming Carelse, a senior official and coach, had been suspended from the organisation following the raid.

Carelse was previously sacked from his position at Matthew Flinders Anglican College after it was revealed he communicated with students over social media.

Matthew Flinders principal Stuart Meade said in March that Carelse’s contract was terminated in October 2020 due to a code of conduct breach.