A 70-year-old former teacher has been charged over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage boy. Police say the man, named in court documents as Alan James Caradus has been arrested at his home in Killara and taken to Hornsby Police Station. Police seized a number of digital devices for forensic examination.
It is understood the man was a teacher at Collaroy independent non-denominational school Pittwater House for at least three years almost 20 years ago. There are no charges relating to his time teaching at the school, with the school proactive in advising its community of the charges (further on that below).
Police say detectives from North Shore Police Area Command began investigating in December 2025 after reports of an alleged sexual assault near the Roseville Bridge between November and December 2023. They say the complainant was 14 years old at the time of the alleged sexual assault.
NSW Police allege detectives, assisted by the North West Metropolitan Operations Support Group, executed a search warrant at a home in Killara just after 9:30am yesterday, Thursday 22 October 2026.
Employment history
In a letter to parents, Pittwater House Principal and CEO Dr Steven Middleton confirmed Mr Caradus, “a former teacher”, worked at the school from 2003 to November 2005.
“He has had no involvement with the school since this time, and the charges are unrelated to the school,” the letter reads.
“We are mindful that there is an ongoing police investigation, and the matter is before the Court, and it would be inappropriate for Pittwater House to comment further on the matter.”
A profile on LinkedIn under the name Alan C. outlines the user’s employment history. The profile says Alan C. was the Junior School Headmaster at Pittwater House from 2003 to 2006.
The profile also says Alan C. has been a Deputy Principal at Sydney Grammar School St Ives Prep School (1992 to 2002), Principal at Inner City Montessori School (2007 to 2009), and Deputy Head Junior Schools at Cranbrook School (six months in 2009) before “semi-retiring” in 2010.
Mr Caradus has been charged with having sexual intercourse with a child greater than 14 and less than 16 years, intentionally sexually touching a child aged between 10 and 16, and intentionally inciting a child aged between 10 and 16 to commit a sexual act to them.
Bail was refused when he appeared at Hornsby Local Court on 22 October. He is due to reappear on Wednesday 4 November 2026.
