Ex-Ballarat High School teacher Damien Woods learns fate after sexually abusing teen

A former Ballarat High School teacher has learned his fate in court after pleading guilty to 12 child sex offences with a teenage girl.

Former Ballarat High School teacher Damien Woods has learned his fate in court after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a teen. Picture: Supplied

A judge says she hopes a teenage girl can move on with her life as she jailed the Ballarat music teacher who sexually abused her.

Former Ballarat High School teacher Damien Woods was on Friday sentenced to four years and two months’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of two years and four months after pleading guilty to 12 child sex offences involving a teenage girl.

In her sentencing remarks, Ballarat County Court Circuit Judge Kellie Blair said it was clear from the girl’s victim impact statement that Woods’ abuse continued to take a “heavy toll” on her mental health.

“The victim spoke of the isolation they felt in their community due to your offending and the anger they felt,” she said.

“Your offending ... has had a significant and detrimental effect on the victim and their family.”

Wearing a green prison-issued jumper, Woods appeared via video link from custody and was expressionless as the judge denounced his conduct.

The disgraced teacher, who was employed at the school for 25 years and the head of performing arts, abused the girl over a fourth month period but was in regular contact with her years prior to the assaults.

Damien Woods, 47, has been jailed for four years and two months.

The pair exchanged more than 110,000 messages with their conversations becoming increasingly sexual over time.

The court heard Woods progressed from saying “I really trust you” and “I love you” to requesting explicit photos.

His abuse, some of which took place in his car, also developed from hugging the girl while he had an erection to kissing and digital penetration.

In one instance, the teacher kissed the girl but said “I shouldn’t be doing this” and “this is really bad” before driving to another location where the abuse continued.

Judge Blair accepted Woods was genuinely remorseful but noted a psychological assessment found he tried to portray himself in a “positive light” and he had shown a degree of denial or defensiveness about his mental state.

The report also found Woods had a “fragile self-esteem” which was bolstered by a sense of control and admiration from his victim.

Ribbons weretied to the front gates of Ballarat High School after Damien Woods was stood down and charged. Picture: Supplied

Woods' lawyer Emily Clark previously told the court her client’s offending took place in the context of marriage issues, low self-esteem and dissatisfaction with work.

She said he had lost his marriage and career and was subjected to abusive phone calls and public harassment after his arrest in January last year.

Woods pleaded guilty to charges including sexual penetration, assault and activity in the presence of a child and possession and involving a child in the production of child abuse material.

He was taken into custody last week after a pre-sentence hearing and will be registered as a sex offender.

After sentencing Woods, Judge Blair told the girl and her family she hoped they could move on with their lives.

“Just to the family and to (the victim) ... I thank you for your involvement in the process and I hope it’s helped with some healing,” she said.

“You can put it behind you to the extent that it is possible.”