A teacher at Sydney’s prestigious Knox Grammar school allegedly told a teenage boy: “Do you think it’s sexy to be as old as some of my students?” a court has heard.
William Roberto Gulson, 27, appeared at a bail hearing in Sydney on Saturday charged with child solicitation over his alleged communications with a 15-year-old girl.
Gulson was arrested in Wahroonga on Friday and taken to Hornsby police station where he was charged with procuring or grooming a child under 16 for unlawful sexual activity.
Earlier this month, police launched an investigation into allegations that a man had groomed a child online.
Gulson appeared in Parramatta Local Court via video link from Surry Hills Police Station, appearing on screen wearing a jacket bearing the Knox Grammar logo and his hands bound in handcuffs.
The court heard that the complainant in this case was aged 9 and 15.
The court was told that Gulson told the complainant: “Sorry mate, I feel very conflicted, do you find it sexy to be as old as some of my students?”
Mr Gulson knew the teenager’s age at the time, as he told the court.
William Roberto Gulson, 27, appeared at a bail hearing in Sydney on Saturday charged with child solicitation over his alleged communications with a 15-year-old girl.
Knox grammar teacher William Gulson (pictured) allegedly told a teenager: “Do you think it’s sexy to be as old as some of my students?” a court heard
The court heard that evidence of this communication was found on his phone, which police seized when he was arrested.
Gulson’s lawyer, Edward Gilson, told the court the alleged offences were the result of “effective vigilantism” and “entrapment”.
“There is no indication of a pattern of behaviour,” Mr Gilson told the court.
The case against Gulson has been described as an “extremely strong prosecution case”, with prosecutors opposing his release on bail citing the risk of further offences and the safety of the community.
He was released on bail with a series of conditions including not to contact anyone under the age of 18 and not to enter or loiter in the vicinity of Knox Grammar.
He must also surrender his passport and not enter an airport.
In a letter to parents, Knox High School Principal Scott James said Gulson’s employment had been terminated.
“I am writing to inform you that this afternoon a secondary school teacher was charged by police in connection with allegations of online harassment of a minor,” he wrote.
In a letter to parents, Knox Grammar principal (pictured) Scott James said Gulson’s employment had been terminated
“When this situation was brought to our attention, the teacher concerned was immediately dismissed from the school and his employment was terminated.
“We can only write to you now because the teacher has been charged, but we remain limited in what we can say due to the ongoing police investigation.”
Gulson will return to court later this month.
dailymail us
