Dennis Stewart, 49, yesterday made a second application for bail in Ballarat Magistrates Court, after his bail was revoked last week.

Detective Senior Constable Mathew Young from the Ballarat sexual offence and child abuse investigation team told the court that police had recently charged Stewart with a ninth count of committing an indecent act with a child under 16 following a breakthrough in investigations.

Detective Young said the charge related to a counselling session at the school – which cannot be named – in which Stewart allegedly asked the student questions about sexuality.

He said that on a separate occasion Stewart had touched another boy’s genitals and talked about masturbation.

Stewart allegedly walked in on the teenager while he was in the shower, and would himself walk around naked in front of him.

“All the parents have been shocked by what their children have told us,” Detective Young said. “He (Stewart) came across more as a friend than a teacher.”

Last week Stewart’s bail was revoked after police claimed he had breached conditions by communicating with students through social media.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Gerard Barrow described the alleged contacts as “sinister grooming for sexual exploitation”, and said there was “a real risk” that Stewart would re-offend if released.

But defence barrister Wendy Duncan denied any sinister contact, and said her client felt he had a responsibility to respond to students.

“In hindsight he agrees it was a completely stupid thing to do,” she said. “It’s a very salutary lesson in terms of what breaching bail conditions means. Being in a police cell certainly rams that home in my submission.”

She said that if Stewart was not bailed, his time in custody may exceed any sentence given, to which magistrate Andrew Capell said: “I don’t know about that”.

Stewart was remanded in custody until today, when Mr Capell is expected to give his verdict.

A suppression order remains in place prohibiting the publication of the school’s name.