SA arts identity Timothy Adrian Sexton claims one of his alleged victims kissed him, but ‘everyone gets to make a mistake’

The former boss of Opera SA continues to deny any sexual wrongdoing with his female singing students – but has told jurors one of the girls ‘planted a kiss’ on him.

Former Opera SA artistic director Timothy Adrian Sexton outside court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards.

A top arts identity says the only sexualised contact he had with a student was when a girl “planted a kiss” on him – but he did not discipline her because “everyone gets to make a mistake”.

Former Opera SA artistic director Timothy Sexton has told a District Court jury the girl was “clearly embarrassed” by her “silly” act, and he saw no need to “vilify” her for it.

Previously, Sexton had told the court there was nothing “coquettish” nor “flirtatious” in his teaching relationships with three women who have accused him of sexual abuse.

Continuing to give evidence in his own defence, Sexton recounted an incident he said occurred before a group singing rehearsal involving his second alleged victim.

“I had gone up to her and was just having a chat, a ‘hello’ chat, and she leaned forward and grabbed me in a hug,” he said.

“She planted a kiss on me and pushed her tongue into my mouth … I was really stunned and pushed back, saying ‘you cannot do that, you cannot do that’.

“She looked pretty embarrassed, I think she had just done something spontaneous and silly … she did apologise.

“I didn’t do anything with it – she’d obviously just made a silly decision and I was not going to vilify her for it … everyone gets to make a mistake.”

His testimony drew a formal objection from prosecutor Carmen Matteo, who requested Sexton restrict himself to answering the questions he was asked.

Sexton has pleaded not guilty to 17 charges. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards.

Sexton, 60, of Birdwood, has pleaded not guilty to 17 child sex offences arising from alleged acts against three female students, across seven suburbs, over a four-year period.

Prosecutors allege he framed his abuse in romantic terms, “beguiling” the girls with presents and attention so they would become “infatuated” by, and “loyal” to, him.

His conduct, they allege, ranged from risque comments to sexual intercourse and included exposing himself while saying “I would like you to meet Percy”.

Throughout his evidence, Sexton has referred to diaries he kept for each year of his teaching and professional career – copies of which have been given to jurors.

He has claimed the diaries disprove several of the alleged acts because they show he was interstate, at a professional engagement or with his wife at the time.

Sexton told jurors he had discussed his wife with the student who, he claims, kissed him.

He said the girl had pointed out a store mannequin saying “no woman has legs like that” and he had replied “my wife does”.

The trial, before Judge Geraldine Davison, continues.