Former teacher Vasilious ‘Bill’ Kafataris allegedly had sex with underage girl

A former English teacher, accused of sex offences involving a 15-year-old girl, allegedly sent her an explicit photo and showered her with gifts, including red lingerie, a jury has heard.

Vasilious Kafataris is accused of having sex with a child.

A former English teacher, accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl, allegedly sent her a photo that exposed his genitals and showered her with gifts, including red lingerie and a vibrator he used on her in his Bankstown home, a court has heard.

A jury – which on Thursday began its deliberations – heard this after Judge Alister Abadee begun his summing up in the Parramatta District Court trial of Vasilious “Bill’’ Kafataris, who has pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually touching a person between 17 and 18 under special care after he kissed a 17-year-old girl outside his apartment.

Kafataris has, however, pleaded not guilty to two counts of grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity, common assault and indecent assault of a person under 16.

Incidents allegedly occurred in southwest Sydney between January 2013 and May 2021 and surfaced after NSW Police child abuse and sex crimes squad detectives began investigating him in April 2021 following reports he had sexually touched the teen he kissed.

Three complainants include the young woman the 56-year-old is accused of having sex with in his Bankstown CBD apartment when she was 15.

Three alleged victims have given evidence against Vasilious Kafataris.

Judge Abadee began his summary on Wednesday after closing statements were delivered earlier this week.

The jury was reminded that, during a phone call, Kafataris allegedly touched himself during the phone call and asked the girl to do the same.

Kafataris allegedly complimented her “long pony legs’’ and began touching her shoulders when she was underage.

The jury heard how he allegedly peppered her writing with sexual innuendo.

The 56-year-old is also accused of buying her cigarettes, jewellery, $50 notes, make-up, food and drink.

The defendant allegedly bought the minor cigarettes. Picture: iStock

During one email, in which the girl was pictured partially naked, Kafataris allegedly told her “I really love you deeply and sincerely” but said the “odds” were stacked against him.

He allegedly emailed her a photo of his genitals and they engaged in phone calls she described as “lovey dovey”, when Kafataris allegedly told her they were reincarnated to be together and “two pieces of a puzzle”

Kafataris allegedly bought the girl a red bodysuit and vibrator from a Bankstown adult shop.

The court heard she woke up on one occasion to allegedly find Kafataris having sex with her.

During his closing statement, defence barrister Leslie Nicholls told the jury the alleged victim had lied during her first interview with police in June 2021 and there were gaps in her evidence during the second interview.

Mr Nicholls said that included allegations of sexual activity occurring on Saturday, when Kafataris normally tutored children.

The court also heard about an adult allegedly discovering several explicit messages to teenage girls on Kafataris’ mobile phone.

Jurors also heard from another adult who allegedly witnessed the middle-aged man flirt with a teenage girl and tell her “you should sleep with a smoking hot man”, to which she replied “you’re a smoking hot man’’.

Kafataris also allegedly swooned over another girl, telling her he loved her chest, thighs and curves.

Crown prosecutor Georgina Namat told the jury this demonstrated Kafataris’ sexual interest in underage girls.

Kafataris also denies hitting another alleged victim with a bamboo stick and telling her he wanted to “bend you up against the wall and f--k you right now”.

Another complainant alleges Kafataris used his hands to push her up against a wall after he asked if she was “strong enough”.

“Do you reckon you could defend yourself?’’ he allegedly asked.

The judge reminded the jury the girl gave evidence she did not consent but it was possible she had goaded, invited or challenged Kafataris while he was accused of pushing her.