A former school principal who sexually abused an ‘incredibly vulnerable’ boy who was bullied and came to him for help, has been jailed for just one year.
Perth’s Newman Junior College principal David Austin Christian indecently assaulted the 12-year-old boy as he sat on his lap back in 1991.
Christian, now 75, preyed on the child twice, once after he was bullied at a school dance, and the second time after summoning the young victim to his office.
District Court Judge Mark Herron jailed Christian for 12 months on Tuesday, after he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecently dealing with a child under the age of 13.
Perth’s Newman Junior College (pictured) principal David Austin Christian indecently assaulted the 12-year-old boy as he sat on his lap back in 1991
Judge Herron said the former principal traumatised and confused the victim, who was ‘particularly vulnerable’, according to Perth Now.
‘Given your position of trust you should have been protecting the child and ensuring he was safe,’ Judge Herron said.
‘Your actions undermine the trust and confidence members of the public, particularly parents, have when they place their children in the care of schools.’
Defence lawyer Seamus Rafferty said Christian was a member of the Marist Brothers, an international community of Catholic religious institutions, since he was 15-years-old.
Mr Rafferty said his client was never able to properly explore his sexuality which lead to his ‘entirely inappropriate’ dealings with children.
He said his client had a very strong sense of remorse for his actions.
Newman College (pictured) is a Catholic school in the Marist Tradition, an international community of Catholic religious institutions
Speaking in the district court on Tuesday, prosecutor Jehna Winter said Christian’s dealings with the 12-year-old boy was just one example of his ongoing sexual interest in children.
Tuesday’s conviction was not Christian’s first.
Christian has previously been convicted with child sex offences on three separate occasions, stemming from incidents in 1982 and 1991.
The now 75-year-old man is currently serving two years in prison for previous indecent dealings with a child, Perth Now reported.
His 12-month jail term passed down on Tuesday was added to his current two year sentence.