Teacher Kathryn Woods declares innocence after jury finds her guilty of indecent assault with student
A TEACHER found guilty of an indecent assault on a 13-year-old schoolboy while his family was away on holidays has declared her innocence amid angry scenes outside a Melbourne court.
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A TEACHER found guilty of an indecent assault on a 13-year-old schoolboy she had groomed has declared her innocence as she left the court.
In dramatic scenes outside the County Court, Kathryn Joy Woods said: “I’m absolutely innocent. I’m innocent of all the charges.”
She made the remarks as her husband Don jumped in front of news cameramen and pushed reporters away, calling them “gutter rats”.
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When one journalist told him that his wife wanted to speak, he said: “I don’t give a rats a---.”
A jury last week found Woods, 59, guilty of indecent assault and gross indecency after hearing evidence about how she had formed a relationship with the student in the 80s.
She was acquitted on 12 other charges including sexual penetration.
The offending happened when she was 24 and the victim just 13.
Woods, who was then known as Ms Evans, had become a trusted friend of the boy’s family, even babysitting him when they were away on holidays.
It was while his family were in the UK for five weeks that she indecently assaulted him at his home.
The jury heard the pair were in love and would write letters to each other and meet up for secret sexual rendezvous.
Woods had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Returning to court today for a plea hearing, her lawyer Colin Mandy argued she should not be sent to jail for her actions almost 35 years ago.
He said she had been of good character with no further offending since.
Mr Mandy initially submitted a fine or good behaviour bond would be appropriate, but later reneged when Judge Andrew Trapnell questioned it.
“It’s a huge breach of trust,” Judge Trapnell said. “You really think a bond is in the range?”
Mr Mandy asked if a jail term was imposed, it be wholly suspended.
“It’s the complainant’s evidence that he initiated this,” Mr Mandy said. “That needs to be borne in mind.
“The ultimate disposition would not result in an immediate sentence of imprisonment, taking into account, your honour is sentencing on one event on one day 35 years ago.”
Prosecutor Gary Hevey urged the judge to lock up Woods.
“(It) is the only proper sentencing in this matter,” Mr Hevey said, adding he would not oppose a combined sentence with a Community Correction Order.
Woods was arrested in January last year when she flew back into Australia from Hong Kong, where she had been working.
The victim, who made a complaint to police in his 40s, was not in court, but family members attended on his behalf to seek justice.
His older sister bravely stood in court and read out a victim impact statement, saying how her normal family had been broken.
She said Woods had “crept into our family under the guise of friendship”.
“It was subtle. It was hideous,” the sister said.
Woods mumbled “what a joke” from the dock as the statement was read out.
Judge Trapnell will sentence her at a later date.