Knox Grammar School English teacher charged with child grooming offence

A 27-year-old teacher, still wearing his black Knox Grammar jacket, has appeared in court on Saturday accused of one count of procuring or grooming a child. A message to a teen on his mobile phone was heard as evidence.

A teacher at an exclusive private all-boys school in Sydney’s north who was charged with child grooming has been granted bail.

Knox Grammar School teacher and former student William Gulson, 27, was arrested on Friday and charged with one count of procuring or grooming a child above the age of 14 and under 16 for unlawful sexual activity.

The English and drama teacher was taken to Hornsby Police Station following an investigation into allegations Gulson groomed a child online.

William Gulson walks out of Surry Hills Police Station after being released on bail on Saturday. Picture: NewsWire

Gulson appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Sunday via audio visual link from Surry Hills Police station wearing a black Knox Grammar jacket.

He repeatedly tried to style his hair while handcuffed and remained silent as his mother and brother watched on from the front row of the public gallery.

William Gulson outside court.

He has lost his job as an English and drama teacher at Knox Grammar.

The prosecution objected to Gulson’s release and argued he posed a risk of committing “further serious offences”.

The prosecution told the court the underage complainant allegedly outlined to Gulson they were “in Year 9 and 15 years old,” to which Gulson allegedly responded, “sorry dude, I feel super conflicted … do you find it hot that you are as old as some of my students?”

Gulson was granted bail to live with his mother. Picture: NewsWire

The court heard evidence of the communication was allegedly found on Gulson’s phone when it was seized during his arrest.

His Legal Aid lawyer, Edward Gilson, said the alleged exchange indicated “there is no suggestion of any pattern of behaviour or modus operandi”.

Mr Gibson submitted the alleged exchange was “effectively some form of vigilantism and entrapment meant by members of the community.”

In requesting his bail, Mr Gibson said his client would be a “highly vulnerable person … if held in custody” and proposed he reside at his mother’s home instead.

He faces one count of sexually grooming a teenager. Picture: NewsWire

The magistrate accepted his submissions and granted Gulson bail on the condition he does not use the internet, any dating apps or social media, and does not “enter or loiter” around Knox Grammar.

He is due to return to court on September 25.

The court appearance comes Knox Grammar principal Scott James sent a letter to parents on Friday about the senior school teacher being charged.

“When this was brought to our attention, the teacher concerned was immediately removed from the school and his employment was terminated,” Mr James wrote.

He has been banned from being on social media and entering Knox.

His lawyer suggested some form of “entrapment” had been used.

“We are only now able to write to you because the teacher has been charged, but we remain restricted in what we can say because of the ongoing investigation by police.”

Mr James said Knox was a child-safe environment, and “in this situation the school took immediate precautionary action and worked with police”.

“Police have informed us that there is no other individual at risk and that there is no evidence that this behaviour extended beyond the online environment,” he said.

“We are informed that the alleged exchange occurred outside school hours and premises and did not involve any school IT equipment.

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Originally published as Knox Grammar School English teacher charged with child grooming offence