Former Muswellbrook high school teacher John Bradbury sentenced on historical child sexual offences

A retired high school teacher charged with historical child sexual offences has been sentenced. Find out what happened in court.

Sydney Downing Centre where John Bradbury received his sentence. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

A retired Muswellbrook high school teacher charged with historical child sexual offences has received a sentence of five years after being found guilty by way of mental illness.

John Kendrew Bradbury, now in his 80s and lives in the Coffs Harbour area, was arrested in November 2017 and charged with six counts of indecent assault on a male, and one charge of procuring an indecent act on a male.

Police say the former Upper Hunter teacher committed the crimes against two of his former students in the 1970s and 1980s.

Last week Bradbury appeared at Sydney Downing Centre via video link with his lawyers from Coffs Harbour, where he was given a total of five years jail for all seven charges by Judge Tim Gartelmann.

Court documents revealed there was a “qualified finding of guilt” against Bradbury, for the court to impose a “limiting term” of the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act.

Judge Gartelmann said he needed to be assessed as soon as possible by the Mental Health Tribunal to be considered for aged care rehabilitation at Long Bay Hospital.

“(It’s) taken some time to finalise because of the physical and mental health difficulties of the offender,” he said.

He ordered Bradbury be detained in custody from Coffs Harbour and transferred to Clarence Correctional Centre where he will be assessed by justice health and given a place at the aged care unit.