Stephen Gray in Lismore court on historical sex assault charges

A former Lismore teacher, who is now facing historic sex assault charges, was moved to another school by nun after his abuse was reported, court documents reveal.  

A former Lismore schoolteacher has pleaded guilty to a number of historical sex abuse charges.

Stephen Anthony Gray, 65, has entered guilty pleas on seven sexual charges including six counts of indecent assault and attempted buggery at Lismore Local Court on May 11.

According to court documents, Gray was a Catholic schoolteacher and rugby league coach at St Carthage’s during the 1970s when the abuse took place.

Court documents reveal Gray preyed on three primary-school-aged boys, on one occasion telling one of his young victims “this is our little secret”.

On several occasions, he drove one of the boys to his home, telling parents he was taking him to football.

The victim described “inappropriate rubbing and touching” as well as ejaculating on them, court documents state.

Court documents state when one of the boys’ parents reported this behaviour to the principal sister of the Lismore school Joan Reynolds, Gray was “moved schools over the weekend and never returned.”

In August 2016, Gray attended Hervey Bay Police Station and made full admissions in regards to the abuse of one of the boys.

At the time, he denied all other allegations.

He had already received lengthy jail sentences for sexual offences relating to abuse at Beaudesert home BoysTown in 2016 and 2018 before Brisbane District Court.

Gray was committed to Lismore District Court on June 20 for sentence mention.

A sentence assessment report was also ordered on his behalf.