Incident
During a school excursion to a water park in late 2024, a bus driver observed teacher Justin Marks (34) touching a student under a blue towel while seated near the front of the bus. After the bus returned to Tarneit P-9 College in Melbourne's outer west, the driver confronted Marks and reported the incident to her employer and police.
Investigation and Court Proceedings
Security footage from the bus was reviewed by the bus company, which then contacted the school and emergency services. The school principal confronted Marks, who claimed he was "just making sure [the student] was okay" because she could not swim. Marks was removed from school grounds. Police subsequently arrested Marks at his home. He admitted to touching the student.
Analysis of electronic devices revealed 8,500 messages on an encrypted app and 6,000 messages and notifications on a Bluetooth bracelet between Marks and the student over six weeks.
Charges and Guilty Plea
On April 24, 2026, Marks pleaded guilty in the County Court of Victoria to 12 charges, including sexual assault of a child and three counts of sexual penetration of a child, committed over a two-month period. The court heard that Marks became close with the girl after she confided in him about her anxiety, and that meetings on school grounds escalated to sexual assaults.
Victim Impact Statement
The victim stated she would never fully recover and described feeling manipulated and "filthy."
She noted that questioning from school community members after Marks' dismissal worsened her trauma.
Next Steps
- Sentencing is scheduled for July 2026.
- A psychological assessment of Marks is pending.