Former Geraldton teacher to face trial over sex assault charges

A former Geraldton Senior College teacher accused of historic sexual offences against a teenager two decades ago will go to trial after pleading not guilty in Perth last week. Scott Andrew Cox faced Perth Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, entering pleas of not guilty to three counts of sexually penetrating and one count of indecently dealing with a 15-year-old girl. Police have alleged the offences took place between September and October 2001 in Geraldton, where the 50-year-old had been teaching since 1998. It is understood Mr Cox did not teach his own classes, acting as a relief teacher at the school while holding a guidance counsellor role for a cohort of students until 2002. When news of the allegations emerged, former students and members of the Geraldton community took to social media to express disbelief, with one person describing Mr Cox as a “great teacher, family man and friend ... if you actually knew him”. Mr Cox worked as a teacher at Geraldton Grammar School from 2007 and was head of student development in 2009 before moving to Perth to continue teaching. He will appear in Perth District Court on September 17 for a hearing to set the matter down for trial.