Former teacher Sarah Collins awaits sentencing over sexual intercourse, indecent assault of someone under 16

A woman, who was repeatedly indecently and sexually assaulted as a teen by her married schoolteacher over a decade-long relationship, said the abuse “destroyed her life”, a court heard.

Sarah Collins (right - with glasses), found guilty at trial on 17 charges relating to a lesbian relationship with a female student - aged 15 . She was 11 years older. Picture outside Penrith District Court on Friday, March 31 2023. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

A former schoolteacher who had an eight-year-long sexual relationship with a student who was 15 when it began, used the victim’s health condition to get close to her in what the court heard was “the cruellest type of torture”.

On Friday, Sarah Elizabeth Collins, 41, appeared to Penrith District Court after previously being found guilty of 17 charges relating to her relationship with the victim including multiple counts of indecent assault and sexual intercourse with someone under 16.

During a tense sentencing hearing, the court heard Collins had struck up a relationship with the victim who was a student where Collins was a respected teacher and soccer coach.

The victim had developed a strong attachment to Collins after confiding in her about battling a health condition.

Sarah Collins, found guilty at trial on 17 charges relating to a lesbian relationship with a female student – aged 15. She was 11 years older. Picture outside Penrith District Court on Friday, March 31 2023. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

It was through this position of trust and emotional intimacy that Collins was able to form a sexual relationship with the student, beginning when she was 15, the court heard.

In a lengthy and damning victim impact statement, the victim detailed the ways in which the eight year relationship jeopardise her life.

“The impact of what Sarah Collins has done to me, my family, my friends and my community is beyond what words can express. I‘ve kept the impacts of the abuse to myself for years and its nearly destroyed me,” the victim told the court.

“I trust her to help me with my (health condition) and she used it against me in the cruellest type of torture.

“I don’t understand how someone could corrupt all the innocence of a child for their gratification, she stole parts of me I'll never be able to get back.”

Among the key points put forward by the crown, was that Collins had developed feelings for a child and used her “position of influence” as hold over the victim.

“She was a trusted high school teacher, and chose to engage in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old knowing she had a (health condition) and fractured relationship with her parents,”

The matters will return to Penrith District Court

“She had the power to abandon the relationship knowing it was inappropriate she did not”

In reply the defence stated at the time Collins was going through “significant personal turmoil”, struggling with her identity and sexuality and the relationship was formed out of a “misguided and misplaced sense of care and concern”.

“It was never disputed what she was doing was illegal, but she was doing it out of a misguided and misplaced sense of serious care and concern, the belief is one based on genuine care and concern,” the defence said.

Sarah Collins will remain on bail with her matters due to return to court on October 13