Teacher who abused young students at their desks avoids jail
A teacher who sexually abused two students while they sat reading at their desks at a primary school near Wangaratta will not spend one night behind bars for his crimes.
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A teacher who sexually abused two primary school girls while they sat at their desks reading will not spend one night behind bars for his crimes.
Alan Evans, now 76, walked free from the County Court today after admitting he had indecently assaulted the year three students while he was the sole teacher at Boorhaman Primary school near Wangaratta in the 1960s.
The “audacious and brazen” offending took place over several months at the small school and was carried out in a full view of the rest of the classroom, the court heard.
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Evans was charged after offering a grovelling apology to one of his victims during a phone call last year — more than 50 years after committing his crimes.
He told the victim there had been troubles in his marriage and that he had “just went through a stage but had taught right for 45 years”.
He was arrested by police later that day.
Yesterday Evans was handed a prison sentence of two years and nine months which was wholly suspended meaning he will serve no jail time.
Evans, who was 24-years-old at the time, preyed on his students by asking one of the little girls to move seats so he could sit next to one of his victims, Judge Trevor Wraight told the court.
This occurred on four separate occasions, including one instance when he abused the child while pretending to complete paper work at her desk.
He later turned his attention to her class mate, putting his hand up her dress and under her bra during two separate incidents.
The court heard the victims were too scared to tell anyone for fear of not being believed and had suffered anxiety and depression since the abuse.
Evans went on to teach at several other schools in south eastern Victorian before retiring in 2001.
Judge Wraight said Evans was in a position of trust and control at the time of his offending.
“Clearly you abused this trust,” he said.
“The offending occurred in a classroom where children should feel safe.”
Despite this, Judge Wraight said Evans had no criminal history and his chances of reoffending were low.
The court heard there was no “evidence of impropriety or misconduct” in the 50 years since the offending and was remorseful for his actions.
“Your career and contribution to the community (since) has been exemplary,” Judge Wraight said.
“I accept your rehabilitation has been largely achieved.”
Evans was convicted as a serious sexual offender.