A school principal has been accused of sending an explicit photo of his genitals to a police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl.
Shayne Harris, 53, faced Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday, charged with exposing a child to an indecent matter and drug possession.
Mr Harris is the principal of Aveley North Primary School, a role he took on last September, and has been working as a principal for more than 20 years.
Veteran school principal Shayne Harris (pictured) allegedly sent a photo of his penis to someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl but was in fact a police officer
The interaction allegedly occurred on New Year’s Day, where Mr Harris allegedly engaged in conversation with someone he thought was a young girl, The West Australian reports.
The court heard that the principal was texting the ‘teen’ using a fake ID before the pair conversed on Google Chats, where he used an email that contained his name.
It is alleged the conversation between the pair became sexually charged on Google Chats before Mr Harris sent a photo of his penis.
A cop posed as the young girl throughout the conversation, which was reportedly recorded.
Officers often pose as children and young teens on the internet to catch out paedophiles.
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Police raided Mr Harris’ home on Wednesday, where he was arrested and charged.
Officers allegedly discovered cannabis and drug paraphernalia at his house.
The school principal was kept behind bars overnight but was granted bail during his court appearance the following day.
Mr Harris faced Perth Magistrates Court (pictured) charged with exposing a child to an indecent matter and drug possession. He was granted bail with strict conditions and will face court next month
Mr Harris faced court on Thursday where prosecutors called for him to be kept in prison until his next court appearance due to the serious nature of the crime he has been accused of.
But the principal’s defence lawyer referred to Mr Harris’s clean criminal record and extensive career as a principal and teacher in his counterargument.
Mr Harris was given bail on the condition he surrendered his passport, did not leave the state and gave police access to check his internet devices.
He will face court next month.
He has been stood down from his role as school principal at Aveley North Primary School.
