Ex Ambarvale High School teacher David Macpherson sentenced

A former southwest Sydney teacher who sent sexually-explicit content online has been sentenced for child abuse material charges. Read what the judge had to say.

A former Ambarvale High School casual teacher who sent sexually explicit messages to an investigator posing as a 14-year-old girl has been sentenced.

David John Macpherson fronted Campbelltown District Court on Monday for sentence after pleading guilty to six charges that he committed between May and September 2020.

The 62-year-old admitted to using a carriage service to groom under 16 years for sex, two counts of using a carriage service to solicit child abuse material, using a carriage service to transmit/publish/promote child abuse, using a carriage service to send indecent material to person under 16 and possess child abuse material with intent to breach.

The Woodbine resident was working as a casual teacher at Ambarvale High after retiring as the school’s deputy principal, when Strike Force Trawler investigators arrested him at work in September 2020.

David Macpherson is arrested. Picture: NSW Police

Macpherson’s lawyer Sharon Ramsden told the court on Monday that he was “motivated” to access treatment, which had been difficult while in custody.

Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions Federal Prosecutor Sarah Short said there was evidence of “manipulation” in Macpherson’s conduct.

She also acknowledged that accessing programs and support were difficult in prison, but said Macpherson could have made more of an effort to put a plan in place.

Judge Andrew Colefax sentenced Macpherson to five years in jail, backdated to begin from his arrest on September 8, 2020.

In handing down his sentence, Judge Colefax noted that Macpherson did not have a criminal record.

“Apart from two PCA [drink-driving] offences back in the 1980s, you had never come to the attention of police for any matter whatsoever,” he said.

David John Macpherson fronted Campbelltown District Court on April 5 for sentence after pleading guilty to six charges that he committed between May and September 2020.

“You had a distinguished career in the Department of Education ending up as deputy principal of a high school, that is a very successful career.

“You were married with children and yet for reasons that have never been explained to me ... at that stage of your life in the period between May and September you engaged in the offending.”

Judge Colefax described what Macpherson engaged in as “highly sexualised communications” that were “disgraceful”.

He referenced one message Macpherson sent to someone he believed was 14 years old: “best not to download them [graphic videos] just in case your mum finds them”.

Judge Colefax said this meant there was no doubt the former teacher knew what he was doing was wrong.

He acknowledged that during his statement to the court last month, Macpherson revealed he had been sexually abused when he was younger but added that there was no evidence to suggest that was a reason behind the offending.

Campbelltown Courthouse.

Judge Colefax said it was difficult to determine Macpherson’s prospects of rehabilitation “without knowing why you did it”.

Court documents reveal when he was arrested, his phone was open and unlocked showing a picture of an underage female in underwear.

In September 2020, a police officer from the Child Exploitation internet Unit assumed the online identity of “AOI”, a 14-year-old girl.

Macpherson sent messages to AOI asking if she sexually touched herself.

“I just don’t want u to think I am a stupid or silly 14 year old,” AOI wrote.

“I absolutely won’t … I‘d love to teach you if you’re interested AOI,” the offender replied.

Macpherson then proceeded to give detailed and explicit instructions on how to masturbate.

David John Macpherson fronted Campbelltown District Court on April 5 for sentence.

On September 8, he encouraged AOI to take and send a topless picture, saying “maybe in front of your mirror is probably the easiest way”.

Court documents showed Macpherson spoke with two more people who he believed to be underage girls when he sent explicit messages, and sent one pornographic videos and pictures of his genitalia.

One of these turned out to be a 36-year-old man. Investigators do not have an identity on the second person.

They also revealed Macpherson had written a story that describes in vivid detail two people under the age of 18 engaged in sexual activity, which he sent to three people.

Macpherson will serve a non-parole period of two years and six months before being eligible for parole from March 8, 2023.