Western Sydney drama teacher charged with indecent assault

A WESTERN Sydney drama teacher convicted of molesting students says he engaged in a teenage ritual of “dick flicking” because he was “trying to be one of the boys”.

A WESTERN Sydney drama teacher convicted of molesting students says he engaged in a teenage ritual of “dick flicking” because he was “trying to be one of the boys”.

For months Peter Smith, 45, would kiss, hug, fist pump and “dick flick” students at Chifley College Bidwell Campus as part of what his lawyer described as a “stupid ritualistic thing”.

But last week the NSW District Court heard his inappropriate behaviour escalated to the point where he shoved his hands down the football shorts of a 15-year-old boy and groped his penis at school on July 21, 2015.

Peter Smith, a western Sydney drama teacher convicted of molesting students. Picture: Facebook

On the same day Smith also asked students if they had any “nude” pictures and slid his hand up the thigh of a teenage girl and grabbed her breasts in a staffroom.

Smith — who taught at the school for a decade — pleaded guilty to four counts of aggravated indecent assault against two students but he did not agree with the minimum six month jail sentence he was given by a magistrate in the local court on July 28 this year.

After Smith lodged an appeal — he was released from the court on bail and was free to live at his Mount Druitt unit for the past two weeks, upsetting investigating police, the victims and their parents.

Last week Judge Stephen Hanley dismissed Smith’s appeal and he was taken into custody.

Judge Hanley rejected the arguments of barrister Stephen Russell who said his client was trying to be friends with students and that they used to “dick flick” Smith as well.

The Crown prosecutor’s said Smith’s offending was serious and occurred over several months.

He described the more serious offence of forcing his hands down the teenager’s pants as “spontaneous” and a mere “aberration”.

“[It was a] Stupid ritualistic thing schoolboys engage in …. and Smith engaged in it as well,” Mr Russell said.

“Everyone agreed … that it was part of a joke, it was a joking thing,” he said.

Judge Hanley responded by saying, “He’s the teacher here, not the student”.

The Crown prosecutor’s said Smith’s offending was serious and occurred over several months.

“To say he wanted to ingratiate himself and make friends with them … as a parent it beggars belief,” she said.

In the agreed facts the victim told police Smith, “forced his hand down my pants and he touched my dick…..I backed off and walked backwards. I had a real sickening feeling. I just wanted to cry and go home.”

Smith will be eligible for parole in January next year.