Guildford West martial arts instructor Christopher David Barnes jailed for four years

A ‘reprehensible’ martial arts instructor who took advantage of two students at his western Sydney gym has learned his fate for the sexual offences against the boys. Warning: Graphic content.

Christopher David Barnes will soon be sentenced for his offences at the Fearless Martial Arts gym. Picture: Facebook

Martial arts instructor Christopher David Barnes will spend four years in jail for the disgusting sexual offences he carried out on two boys he taught at a gym in Sydney’s west.

At Sydney District Downing Centre Court on Thursday, the Woodpark 36 year old let out heavy sighs when learning his 118 days of incarceration would continue after he took advantage of the boys at the Fearless Martial Arts Gym at Guildford West during lessons.

Known as “Master Chris” by his students, he touched one of the boy’s penis and tried to “squish” his finger in another boy’s anus while they were in the bathroom of the warehouse-style gym.

During the trial, the court heard how Barnes kept dishing out excuses to take the boy, known as victim AB, to the bathroom and constantly asked him about his pubic hair.

Barnes “kept using the excuse of personal growth” when he touched the boy’s penis.

Christopher Barnes leaves Parramatta District Court with his mother in September.

Barnes told the child ‘show me yours and I’ll show you mine’’ and placed his hand outside his penis.

Judge Robert Montgomery told the court Barnes’ threats to expose his penis caused AB to remove most of his clothes in the bathroom with the door closed, an environment that “added to the sense of vulnerability’’ for the boy.

It was the same child whose family once considered Barnes an uncle and role model who they once invited to a function.

The boy’s mother delivered a victim impact statement about the devastating impact the abuse had on her son since he was sexually touched over two years.

“My son cries so much and keeps repeating ‘why me, why me’,” she told the court.

“The actions of (Barnes) have torn my son apart in ways that no words could ever describe; my son trusted (Barnes). My son enjoyed playing sport but now finds it hard going near any training venues.

The court heard how the boy was left broken, “pulling at his hair and hysterical”.

Barnes kissed the other victim, known by the court as CD, on his cheek near his mouth twice when the bathroom door was slightly ajar.

He asked him to keep it a secret after he took him into the bathroom to inspect his sunburnt body.

A judge told a court Barnes was not remorseful for his actions. Picture: Facebook

The boy agreed not to tell anyone but told his father when he was collected after class.

“I feel a bit angry about him (Barnes),’’ the boy told the court during cross examination.

Barnes pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated sexual intercourse with a child between 10 and 14 years, aggravated intentionally doing a sexual act with a child between 10 and 16 years, intentionally sexually touch child under 10 years and two counts of intentionally sexually touch a child between 10 and 16 years.

In October, a jury found him guilty of intentionally touch sexually a child under 16 — an alternative charge from aggravated sexual intercourse with a child between 10 and 14 years. He was convicted of the charges.

During the sentencing, Judge Montgomery told the court Barnes’ abuse of power in the teacher-pupil relationship was reprehensible.

“The offender manipulated the victims by opportunistic abuse of his position as Master Chris, their martial arts teacher,’’ he said.

“I have observed that the offender opportunistically took advantage of the children – not just vulnerable because of their age – but the teacher-pupil relationship.”

Barnes had limited social connections outside of his immediate family and church. Picture: Facebook

The court heard how Barnes – who achieved a UAI in the 90s and was the dux of his high school in 2004 – had a stable family upbringing as the second born of three sons to parents who have been married for more than 40 years.

His family relied on him for financial support and physical care, particularly his mother who has breast cancer. His brother was diagnosed with cancer last year and his father, who was present in court for the sentencing, who suffers from depression.

Barnes suffered from social rejection and has never had an intimate relationship with a woman despite saying he was attracted to the opposite sex.

His limited social circle outside his immediate family were members of the martial arts gym he opened with his brother in 2009 and members of his church.

His refusal to get vaccinated means he has only communicated with his family virtually since being placed in custody.

Despite failing to show remorse for his actions, Judge Montgomery believed Barnes’ motivation to provide for his family would deter him from reoffending.

He also did not believe his family’s problems were exceptional and said his actions warranted full time imprisonment.

Barnes appeared via video link from Parklea Correctional Centre.

He was jailed for four years and three months beginning from October 8, 2022. He is eligible for parole after three years on October 7, 2025.

He must undertake a sex offender rehabilitation program.