Former Matthew Flinders teacher Robert Owen Austin sentenced for sexual assault

A woman sexually assaulted by a former Sunshine Coast private school teacher has told how the offence destroyed her life and caused extreme heartache, a court has heard.

Former Matthew Flinders Anglican College teacher Robert Owen Austin was given a six-month suspended sentence in Maroochydore District Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily.

A former Sunshine Coast private school teacher and soccer coach has avoided time behind bars after he sexual assaulted a woman, a court has heard.

Former Matthew Flinders Anglican College teacher Robert Owen Austin was given a six-month suspended sentence in Maroochydore District Court on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark told the court Austin was drunk and affected by marijuana when he sexually assaulted a woman in her home on May 15 last year.

Mr Stark said Austin’s sexual propositions towards the woman were rejected before he started feeling her breasts and rubbing her back underneath her shirt.

He said the woman was trying to care for Austin when he continued to sexually assault her.

“He pulled her down to the bed rolled over, attempted to kiss her with his tongue while holding her hands next to her head and his full body weight on her,” Mr Stark said.

“He told her words to the effect of ‘you know you want to’.”

The court heard the woman said it's not going to happen before Austin let her go.

A victim impact statement written by the woman described how she couldn’t escape the assault.

“Prior to this night I had been in the best place finically, physically, emotionally and mentally I had in years, but this night destroyed this,” she wrote.

Mr Stark said the woman suffered ongoing implications because of the assault including increased anxiety, mental breakdowns, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms, panic attacks, flashbacks and nightmares.

“Not even my home is safe from reminders of that night as it occurred in my safe space,” she said.

Mr Stark said a suspended sentence between six to nine months was an appropriate punishment for the offence.

The court heard the now 42-year-old had no criminal history in Queensland.

Former Matthew Flinders Anglican College teacher Robert Owen Austin covered his face while leaving Maroochydore District Court on Tuesday. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily

Austin’s barrister Anna Cappellano said Austin, who has a degree in science and teaching, previously worked in the private schooling sector and was significantly involved in extra-curricular activities as a soccer coach and referee.

Ms Cappellano said Austin had suffered a great loss because of the offending.

“In the aftermath of offending he found himself unemployed for the first time since leaving high school and has been on government benefits and unable to find steady employment,” she said.

“He is acutely aware he will be unable to work in chosen care in foreseeable future regardless of any sentence imposed by court today.”

She said the loss of livelihood seriously impacted Austin and he was seeking help for a decline in his mental health.

She said the offending was not “predatory or premeditated” and occurred under specific circumstances where both parties had smoked marijuana.

“It occurred when Mr Austin was in a highly emotional state,” she said.

Ms Cappellano said he had honestly mistaken the situation as a consensual sexual encounter.

She asked for Austin to be put on a six-month suspended sentence and said it would have significant impacts on him.

Former Matthew Flinders Anglican College teacher Robert Owen Austin was given a six-month suspended sentence in Maroochydore District Court on Tuesday. Picture: Sunshine Coast Daily.

Judge Gary Long noted Austin, who had shown “regret and remorse” presented a low risk of reoffending.

He said he understood Austin had been described as a dedicated worker, responsible, generous and a generally law abiding, contributing member of the community.

Mr Long said his priority was to send a message to the community that his behaviour was unacceptable.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College principal Stuart Meade confirmed Austin was a former teacher of the college.

He said the father-of-three had resigned from his position.

Mr Meade couldn’t confirm the date of his resignation and declined to make any further comment.