SA teacher Sonia Mackay pleads guilty to unlawful sexual relationship with a minor, denies sex charges allegedly involving second underage boy
A SCHOOL teacher has confessed to a sexual relationship with a minor – but denied abusing a second, who is “teetering” about giving evidence – during a fiery court hearing.
A SCHOOL teacher has confessed to a sexual relationship with a minor – but denied abusing a second, who is “teetering” about giving evidence – during a fiery court hearing.
Sonia Mackay wept during a tense exchange on Thursday that pitted her lawyer and a state prosecutor against Adelaide Magistrate Simon Smart.
Prosecution and defence agreed Mackay’s case should be postponed because the second of her alleged victims was unsure if he wanted the case to proceed.
That, they argued, was a “critical aspect” of the matter – Mr Smart disagreed, however, saying the attitude of an alleged victim should not impede the judicial process.
“It may be an important aspect, but it’s not a decisive one … I know, from my personal experience, that prosecutors may choose to proceed anyway,” he said.
“I have made my decision, and I am going to read the charges to Mackay.”
Mackay, 43, of Henley Beach, pleaded guilty to one count of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a boy, whose name is suppressed.
She pleaded not guilty to two aggravated counts of indecent assault, and one count of unlawful sexual intercourse, involving a second, separate boy.
Mackay’s identity was suppressed until now – but upon her guilty plea, the suppression lapsed.
All three offences are alleged to have been committed last year in the southern suburbs.
Under state law, the age of sexual consent is 17 – however, that age increases to 18 if one of the parties involved is in a position of authority over the other.
In the counts relating to the second boy, prosecutors further allege Mackay abused a position of authority in committing the offences.
On Thursday, prosecutors for further time to speak with the second boy, telling the court he had been “teetering on whether he wants to proceed with the charges”.
Stephen Ey, for Mackay, argued it was unfair for his client to enter pleas before that aspect of the allegations had been finalised.
“This is regrettable … any trial date won’t be set until next year, regardless of today’s hearing,” he said.
“It’s not as if this court is so burdened with work that a delay of three weeks is going to cause problems.”
Mr Smart said that was not the point.
“This matter has been listed, for your client to enter pleas, four times and I’m really not minded to grant a further adjournment,” he said.
“There’s been plenty of time for prosecutors to speak to whomever they wish to speak to.”
He remanded Mackay on continuing bail to face the District Court in November.