Damian Ellis Spohr, an out-of-home care manager in New South Wales, Australia, pleaded not guilty on October 21, 2026, to 30 charges, including multiple counts of sexual intercourse without consent and aggravated sexual assault, involving five alleged female colleagues from 2020 to 2025. Spohr remains in custody as a court date for November 5, 2026, approaches to determine if his trial will be held in Newcastle.

The case has drawn public attention due to the serious nature of the allegations and Spohr's former position of trust within disability, mental health, and child protection services.

What the records show

Spohr faces 30 charges, which include multiple counts of sexual intercourse without consent, aggravated sexual assault, intentional choking, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. These charges stem from alleged incidents involving five female colleagues between 2020 and 2025.

Separately, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Commission issued a 10-year banning order against Spohr, referred to as "Damien Ellis Spohr" in official documentation. This order was made on July 20, 2026, with official documentation dated July 30, 2026. The ban prohibits Spohr from providing, being involved in, or assisting in the provision of any supports or services to NDIS participants that involve contact with participants or access to their personal or financial information.

The timeline

Allegations against Spohr cover a five-year period between 2020 and 2025. By January 2, 2026, social media posts began to circulate alleging issues concerning Spohr, including claims he may have worked with children while potentially barred by the Office of the Children's Guardian.

Spohr was arrested and charged in Tahmoor on April 24, 2026. The NDIS Commission issued its 10-year banning order on July 20, 2026, with official documentation noting the order on July 30, 2026. On October 21, 2026, Spohr pleaded not guilty to all 30 charges in Newcastle Local Court. The court is scheduled to decide on November 5, 2026, whether his trial can proceed in Newcastle.

What changed

Before his arrest, Spohr was employed as a manager at a Maitland-based provider offering disability, mental health, and child and family services. Following his arrest, he was charged and has remained in custody after entering his not guilty plea. The NDIS Commission's banning order also significantly changed his ability to work within the disability sector, preventing him from any direct or indirect involvement with NDIS participants or their personal information for a decade.

What Spohr has said

Damian Ellis Spohr has pleaded not guilty to all 30 charges against him. A Facebook post from October 3, 2025, claimed he was "found guilty," but this claim predates his arrest and his formal plea of not guilty in court.

What we could not confirm

PrimaryBrief could not confirm allegations made on social media as early as January 2, 2026, suggesting that Spohr may have worked with children while potentially barred by the Office of the Children's Guardian.