Recorded Confession Convicts Newington College Boarding Master

A former boarding master at the prestigious Newington College has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for child sexual abuse after one of his victims recorded him confessing his crimes. He will be eligible for parole in 12 months. 

In 2014, police began investigating allegations of abuse at the Newington junior boarding school and approached one of Walden’s victims and asked if he would be willing to confront him while he wore a recording device. 

The victim, managed to get Walden to admit to abusing him, but claimed that he had burnt the photographs he had taken during the assaults.

Police found 26 Polaroids of naked boys in a search of Walden’s home.

Robert James Walden, aged 60, has pleaded guilty to possessing child abuse material, two counts of indecent assault, and six acts of indecency involving a child while he was employed as a boarding master at Newington’s junior boarding school in 1974 and 1975. Walden was 19 years old at the time of the assaults.

He has since admitted to taking four boys between 8 years old and 12 years old to his bedroom and forcing them to strip off and simulate sex acts while he took photographs of them. Conveniently, Walden alleges he has no recollection of indecently assaulting his victims.

While Walden expressed regret for his actions, he blamed his youth and immaturity alleging that he knew ‘it was inappropriate, but I didn’t think it was evil or wrong’. He alleged that he had not looked at the photos in 30 years.

Naturally, Walden’s victims were devastated that Walden still had the photos showing his depravity.

Given that the evidence clearly revealed that there were more victims who were photographed 40 years ago, there are likely to be many more victims.

Several of Walden’s victims have indicated their intention to sue Newington College for failing to protect them from Walden.

If you or anyone you know were abused at Newington College or any other institution, please contact Koffels Solicitors to have a confidential and obligation free consultation.

Sherilyn Dunkley

Senior Associate