The case targeting a betting ring, allegedly run by a teacher, Phil Saunders, with the help of his students, has hit a dead end after the magistrate presiding over the case has been overheard expressing bias before trial, arguing that he “couldn’t wait” to find the defendant guilty.

Magistrate’s Lack of Impartiality Endangers Important Case

Saunders, who works at Wollongong High, stood accused of indecent assault of a person under his authority, indecent assault of a person under 16, gambling with a minor, and intimidation.

Michael Ong, who was the magistrate due to preside over the case and a hearing, was supposedly overheard saying that he was keen to find the defendant guilty and “move onto the next thing,” expressing unacceptable prejudice and failing to observe the impartiality of his profession.

What happens next is difficult to say, but a new hearing will have to be scheduled. The case against Saunders is built on the testimony of witnesses who said that they had seen a whiteboard with what appeared to be sports wagers on the English Premier League – a topflight soccer competition.

On top of that, Saunders is alleged to have collected the bets from students, who brought the money to his desk. These allegations have never been substantiated so far, other than the witness statements that are yet to make an appearance in court.

According to media sources, a colleague of Saunders’ has stated that the man had been betting on horse races at weekends – something which Saunders himself confirmed but denied placing bets on soccer games of any kind.

It Never Happened, Argues Magistrate

Ong, who recused himself from the case, has denied ever uttering the statement cited by media outlets. He insisted that was never the case and he had shown no bias against the defendant. In the meantime, a prosecutor alleged that a police officer had tipped them off, and offered a written statement that Ong was indeed looking to secure a guilty verdict for Saunders.

“I deny any of the words against the accused in this matter attributed to me in the statement. I do not hold a bias towards the accused now or at any time. I do not accept any bias before these proceedings,” Long snapped back.

Even though Ong has denied wrongdoing, he has found it appropriate to recuse himself from the case entirely. Legal bills will continue to stack up as a new hearing date is appointed under a new magistrate.