Ex-Marymede Catholic College sports assistant admits vile child sex offences... yet wins bid to live in seaside town: Why parents may never learn the full extent of his crimes

By PAUL SHAPIRO, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 12:59, 31 July 2026 | Updated: 13:00, 31 July 2026 A former Melbourne Catholic school sports assistant will be allowed to live in a scenic coastal tourist town despite admitting to serious child sex offences. Andrew Cassar was 24 when he was dramatically arrested on Marymede Catholic College grounds earlier this year, but he was later granted bail with the cheery condition that he is allowed to live in Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula. He initially faced 42 charges, including an allegation that he sexually penetrated a child under 16.  However, Cassar pleaded guilty at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Friday to 25 offences, just minutes after 17 charges were withdrawn. The Daily Mail was denied access to details of the charges against Cassar after the court ruled the matter would be dealt with as rolled-up charges at a County Court pre-sentence hearing in February. Rolled-up charges combine multiple alleged offences into a single charge for sentencing, commonly used during a guilty plea.  Lawyers for Cassar opposed the release of the charges, but he did admit to sexually penetrating a child under 16. 'As indicated by my friend, there is a rolling-up process that will occur. The charges themselves that remain on the system at the moment do not reflect the resolution of the matter as it will proceed in the County Court,' Cassar's lawyer told the court. Former Melbourne Catholic school sports assistant Andrew Cassar (pictured at court earlier in July) pleaded guilty to multiple child sex offences Andrew Cassar was 24 when he was dramatically arrested on Marymede Catholic College grounds (above) earlier this year 'In that situation, your Honour, I request the charges not be provided.'  Media attempted to sway the magistrate into releasing the charge sheets but were countered by Cassar's defence. Cassar's lawyer argued that publicising all of the charges at this stage could be misleading because only some would ultimately proceed as part of a plea deal. Magistrate Leon Fluxman denied media access to the charge sheets. 'Mr Cassar has indicated that he will plead guilty to a number of charges; however, the basis of that plea is significantly different from the charges that are actually before the court because a number of them will be rolled up,' Magistrate Fluxman said. 'That means, in order for there to be accuracy of reporting, to report that all the charges [to] which he's pleaded guilty today, in the circumstances [that have] been indicated, is not a true reflection of what will proceed.'  In the meantime, Cassar will enjoy his freedom shuttling between his Mill Park home and scenic Portarlington. Cassar has also been forbidden to step foot on the Marymede campus after he was accused of sexually violating a child on March 9. Cassar has also been forbidden to step foot on the Marymede campus after he was accused of sexually violating a child on March 9 Cassar has a bail address at Mill Park but is also allowed to live in Portarlington (above) Cassar, who was unmasked by the Daily Mail when we exclusively pictured him walking out of the magistrates' court earlier in July, has also been banned from contacting the victim. The allegations against Cassar sparked a storm among the tight-knit school community after sex crime detectives stormed the college's Doreen campus on March 10 and arrested him. Victoria Police's Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team swarmed the school grounds during a pupil-free day and took him away. Marymede Catholic College principal Timothy Newcomb was forced to pen a letter to concerned parents in which he confirmed that Cassar had been arrested and 'directed not to return'. 'The arrest occurred on a professional learning day, so no students were on campus at the time,' Mr Newcomb wrote in the letter. 'Your child’s safety and wellbeing are our highest priorities, Victoria Police advise they have contacted impacted people. Cassar will face the County Court at a later date 'However, if you have any queries about our child protection policies and procedures, or should you wish to raise any specific concerns, please contact me directly.' It's understood Cassar was bailed shortly after his arrest. He appeared in court in person on Friday wearing a hoodie and puffer jacket and supported by his parents. Cassar's Working with Children Check is also expected to be revoked once the matter is finalised. Tuition for Year 12 at the college is a touch over $8,000 a year.