A former school principal has died suddenly, a day before he was due to appear in court on charges of possessing child exploitation material.
56-year-old Paul Whitehead, who had led Bold Park Community School in Western Australia for nearly a decade, was scheduled to appear in Midland Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
However, his lawyer Carole MacKay informed the court that Whitehead had passed away on Monday, the West Australian reports.
The charges against him, which included possession of child exploitation material, failing to obey an officer, and unlawfully possessing a controlled or prescription drug, have now been discontinued.
The circumstances surrounding Whitehead’s death are not being treated as suspicious.
Whitehead had been on long service and study leave from the school for the past six months.
He was arrested earlier in the month after police executed a search warrant at his Ellenbrook home and seized electronic devices that allegedly contained child exploitation material.
Police confirmed that the alleged offences took place while Whitehead was principal but said that there was no evidence any student from the school was depicted in the material.
Acting principal of Bold Park Community School, Felicity Kinsella, spoke after the news of Whitehead’s death had circulated.
“This news has come as a shock, and our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time,” she told media. Kinsella reassured the community that the safety and wellbeing of the students remained the school’s priority, adding that counselling services were being offered to those who needed support.
“Our Bold Park Community School spirit has always been resilient, and together, we will navigate this challenging period with care and unity,” Kinsella said.
Whitehead joined the school in 2010 and was appointed principal in 2014, overseeing campuses in Wembley and Maylands.
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