Broughton Anglican College teacher Brendan Burnett charged with procuring a child for sexual activity

A Christian high school teacher allegedly sent sexually explicit messages to a teenage boy online and arranged to meet up with him at a park before he was ambushed by teens, a court has heard.

Brendan Burnett, pictured in his younger years, has been charged with procuring a child for sexual activity.

A Christian high school teacher allegedly sent sexually explicit messages to a teenage boy online before he arranged to meet up with him at a park with cans of alcohol, a court has heard.

Brendan Burnett, 31, claims he was set upon by a group of up to nine male teens at the park before he went to police who allege they later discovered several concerning messages.

Burnett – who works as a history teacher at Broughton Anglican College – was refused bail in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.

The Miranda man was charged with procuring a child aged between 14 and 16 for sexual activity.

The court heard, police allege Burnett began talking to a person online, who at some point told him he was 15 years old.

Brendan Burnett made a bail application in Sutherland Local Court.

“I probably should have told you I’m not 16 until March,” the boy allegedly sent to Burnett.

“Can I tell you I wouldn’t be weirded out. It is kind of hot,” Burnett allegedly replied.

Burnett also allegedly sent a message saying his “preference” was 13 and 18, and “15 is fine,” before they discussed birthdays and what year the boy was in school.

The court heard Burnett allegedly had a sexually explicit discussion with the teen about what they planned to do when they met up.

The court heard Burnett and the teen allegedly arranged to meet up at a park in Chatswood on Saturday, February 17 and he arrived with a number of cans of Jack Daniels.

Burnett was allegedly confronted by a group of young men but he ran away and hid in a hotel bathroom, the court heard.

Burnett reported the incident to police later that day, making a statement with officers also taking his phone.

Brendan Burnett

Upon further examination of the phone, police discovered the alleged messages and Burnett was arrested.

The court heard police had not spoken to the teen who was allegedly sending Burnett messages.

Burnett’s lawyer Vinny Vijay said Burnett had co-operated with police and when he read through the allegations he was “shamed”, saying he never met the young person before and that the parties had exchanged images.

Mr Vijay said his client worked as a teacher but he understood he would no longer be able to do that, adding he had completed a Bachelor of Arts, a Masters in History and a teaching degree.

The court heard Burnett had the support of his father and brother and could live with his father in Sutherland.

Mr Vijay said Burnett had previously seen a psychologist for “compulsive online behaviour,” anxiety and depression, but that had ceased.

Mr Vijay proposed a number of bail conditions including reporting to police, only having one phone with no internet access and not associate with children or enter schools.

Magistrate Jillian Kiely noted the seriousness of the allegations, the strong prosecution case and the likelihood that Burnett would receive a full time prison sentence if convicted.

She said she was concerned that he had received psychological treatment for sexual behaviour on the internet and was receiving medication, but allegedly talked in a sexually explicit way and sought out a meeting with who he thought was a child for sexual activity.

She refused bail and the case was adjourned to March.