A teacher at Sydney’s prestigious Knox Grammar school allegedly told a teenager: “Do you find it attractive to be the same age 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 sexual assault 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 one count of soliciting or grooming a girl under 16 for unlawful sexual activity.
Earlier this month, police launched an investigation into allegations that a man had lured a girl over the internet.
Gulson appeared before Parramatta Local Court via video link from Surry Hills Police Station, appearing on screen wearing a jacket bearing the Knox Grammar logo and with his hands bound in handcuffs.
The court heard that the plaintiff in the matter was aged 9 and 15.
The court reported that Gulson told the plaintiff: “I’m sorry, man, I feel super conflicted. Do you find it attractive to be the same age as some of my students?”
Mr Gulson knew the teenager’s age at the time, the court was told.
Knox Grammar teacher William Gulson (pictured) allegedly told a teenager: “Do you find it attractive that you are the same age as some of my students?”, a court has heard.
The court heard that evidence of the communication was found on his phone, which police seized during his arrest.
Gulson’s legal aid 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 behavior,” Gilson told the court.
The case against Gulson was described as an “extremely strong prosecution case” and prosecutors opposed his release on bail citing the risk of further offending and community safety.
He was released on bail under a number of conditions, including not contacting anyone under the age of 18 and not entering or wandering around Knox Grammar.
You will also have to surrender your passport and not enter an airport.
In a letter to parents, Knox Grammar headmaster Scott James said Gulson’s employment had been terminated.
“I am writing to inform you that this afternoon a high school teacher was charged by police in connection with allegations of online harassment of a minor,” she wrote.
In a letter to parents, Knox Grammar headmaster (pictured) Scott James said Gulson’s employment had been terminated.
‘When we learned of this, the teacher in question was immediately expelled from the school and dismissed from his employment.
‘We are only able to write to you now because the professor has been charged, but we remain limited in what we can say due to the ongoing police investigation.’
Gulson is due back in court later this month.