Former Bowral High School teacher Alexander Manojlovic jailed for sex attack
A recently divorced alcoholic, who drank at least five bottles of wine before the attack on his student victim, has faced court.
Canberra Star
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Remorseless former Bowral High School teacher Alexander Manojlovic could be out of jail as soon as next month after his legal team indicated they will file an appeal against his convictions on a string of sex crimes committed against a student.
A bearded and dishevelled Manojlovic, 40, of Colo Vale, on Thursday appeared in Goulburn District Court by video link from Goulburn jail where Judge Mark Williams sentenced him to three years and 9 months jail for the aggravated indecent assault and aggravated sexual assault of a former student.
The court heard Manojlovic, a recently divorced alcoholic who drank at least five bottles of wine before the attack on his victim, is due to face court at a later date on unrelated property damage and stalking charges.
Crown prosecutor Nerissa Keay said Manojlovic’s offending came at a time when he had been warned for breaching the teachers’ code of conduct for inappropriately contacting students and former students online.
Judge Williams rejected Ms Keay’s argument that Manojlovic had groomed his victim, and that the offending was planned.
Manojlovic’s week-long trial earlier this year heard he was “absolutely blotto” when he told the student to come to his parents’ house, where he was staying, where his attack began by put his hands down her pants and saying “I know you like older guys, you have daddy issues”.
Manojlovic, who the court heard was a former meth addict, also locked the front door and removed the key, preventing the student from leaving.
He stopped his attack and began crying, saying he had cheated on his girlfriend, also a former student.
Judge Williams described Manojlovic’s crimes as an “invasive and degrading act” on his victim, who he was in a position of authority over.
He said Manojlovic, who only has only ever been in trouble for drink driving and driving disqualified, but who is due to face court on unrelated stalking and property damage charges, has good prospects of leading a law-abiding life if he can quit his drinking habit.
Manojlovic’s barrister, Ian Lloyd QC, said his client would be filing an appeal of his conviction and would be applying for bail.
Mr Lloyd said Manojlovic continues to deny his offending and says he had consensual sex with the student.
Judge Williams, who set a non-parole period of 22 months, listed Manojlovic’s bail application for May 25 in Sydney.