Former Christian Brothers teacher John Laidlaw jailed after admitting to sexually abusing schoolboys

A pedophile Christian Brothers teacher who preyed on vulnerable schoolboys — and sent birthday cards to one traumatised victim — will remain locked up for longer.

Pedophile John Laidlaw worked at St Kevin's College in Toorak. Picture: Erik Anderson

A Christian Brothers teacher who sexually abused students at some of Victoria’s most prestigious Catholic schools – and mailed birthday cards to a traumatised victim – has been sentenced to more time behind bars.

John Laidlaw, 84, preyed on his students between 1966 and 1990 but the Christian Brothers did “nothing” but shuffle the pedophile from school to school including St Kevin’s College in Toorak and Parade College in Bundoora.

Laidlaw was sentenced in the County Court on Friday to seven years and seven months behind bars, with a non-parole period of three years, after pleading guilty in June to nine historic sex offences.

Judge Helen Syme told the court these charges related to six victims, who were aged between 13 and 17 years old at the time.

In July 2019, the child predator was sentenced to 4½ years behind bars for sexually abusing another six victims at schools run by the religious order.

Laidlaw, who appeared via video link from Hopkins Correctional Centre, was told it was likely he would now die in jail.

Ribbons are tied to the gates at St Kevin’s College to support victims of child sexual abuse. Picture: Sarah Matray

The court heard Laidlaw indecently assaulted a young choir boy in 1966 at St Joseph’s College in Warrnambool by touching his genitalia in a change room with another child present.

The boy’s mother approached the school after her son had confided in her, but the Christian Brothers responded by shifting the sex offender to another school in Melbourne.

“The order decided to solve the problem you presented by simply shifting your location,” Judge Syme said.

But for seven years, until the boy turned 21, Laidlaw would send him birthday cards.

“This was a particularly selfish act by you and one which underlines your continuing lack of care for the harm you have caused,” she said.

In 1974, he indecently assaulted a schoolboy at St Kevin’s College, where he was a sporting coach, by touching his genitalia on a treatment table after a cricket game.

More than a decade later, he sexually penetrated a student from Parade College in Bundoora by forcing his penis into the young boy’s mouth while in a shower cubicle.

After the sickening assault, Laidlaw laughed at his victim.

While teaching at the school, he also indecently assaulted another boy by touching his genitalia and buttocks.

Child abuse survivor Roger Kenna launched a million-dollar claim against St Kevin’s College in 2020 after he claims he was abused by Christian Brother Anthony Keenan. Picture: David Caird

In 1990, when Laidlaw had returned to St Kevin’s College, he touched a boy’s genitalia after “cornering” him in the urinals at a swimming event and ripping off his towel.

Later that year, he also digitally penetrated an older student after telling him he was only checking an injury on his leg.

Judge Syme told the packed courtroom the six victims and their supportive families “had been heard”.

Laidlaw, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, appeared to take notes during his sentencing.

“You breached the trust of the children,” Judge Syme told him.

“As your teacher, they were required to follow your directions and not question you.

“They all felt compelled to comply with your directions, even when those directions made them feel very uncomfortable.”

She added his behaviour was “well known” by those in authority at the Christian Brothers, who allowed him to work at 15 schools across Victoria.

“Not only was nothing done by them to support the victims of your behaviour, active steps were taken to shift you onto different schools where unsurprisingly you offended again,” she said.

Laidlaw, if alive, will be eligible for parole in late 2026.