Whyalla teacher Nathan Fenwick attempted to lure student for sex

A Whyalla teacher appeared to hide behind his mum as he left court for preying on a student by “shamelessly” messaging him and suggesting to meet up.

A Whyalla teacher preyed on a young teenage student by relentlessly messaging him and sending him “disgusting photos”, a court heard.

Nathan Andrew Fenwick, 27, used his position of trust to commit the ultimate act of betrayal on the young boy.

Three victim impact statements were read to the Adelaide District Court on Tuesday.

The victim’s father said Fenwick betrayed his son and damaged his family’s life in the “most despicable” way.

“Imagine watching a person you love change and slowly disappear before your very eyes,” he said.

“You did this Nathan … like a thief in a night you preyed on (the victim) and took advantage of his naivety under the disguise of a friend and a teacher.”

The father said he saw the messages and “disgusting photos” Fenwick had sent to his son.

“I saw how you told (the victim) you loved him, I read how you encouraged him to leave the safety of his home and sneak away without telling anyone so that you could have your way with him,” he said.

“I read how you told him to lie to … protect you and your job while you destroyed his life.”

The father said Fenwick “relentlessly and shamelessly” messaged his son.

“I saw how some days you sent over 30-40 messages - you stalked him, he could not escape you,” he said.

Nathan Fenwick (behind) leaving Adelaide District Court on Tuesday. Photo: Lucy Rutherford

Nathan Fenwick appears to hide behind his mother after leaving court for preying on a student at a school. Photo: Lucy Rutherford

The court heard Fenwick would also meet with the victim in secret at school.

“You manipulated the roster and lied so you could be alone with (the victim) any chance you could get,” the father said.

“You took advantage of your position as a teacher and preyed on my child.”

Fenwick pleaded guilty to communicating with the intention of making a child amenable.

The victim’s father said the only positive was Fenwick was caught before it could go further.

The victim’s mother said her son went from loving school to never wanting to go anymore.

“I want Nathan to go to jail so he can understand the impacts his actions have had,” she said.

The victim said Fenwick quickly befriended him at school.

“It didn’t take long before things changed and I felt extremely uncomfortable,” he said.

“I didn’t know who to turn to, I mean he was a teacher and a person everyone trusted.

“Who would believe me? And I even felt like this was somehow my own fault.”

The victim said he was diagnosed with PTSD after the incident.

“I don’t know if I can ever be the same again,” he said.

“Whatever punishment he receives will never give back all that I’ve lost, the things he is responsible for taking from me.”

In the Adelaide District Court on Tuesday, Tim Dibden, for Fenwick, told the court they were waiting on a further psychiatrist report.

Judge Timothy Heffernan adjourned the charge until May.