Primary school teacher Kerry Buranyi-Trevarton jailed for preying on students

A drunk Adelaide primary school teacher is behind bars after he preyed on multiple students, which was slammed by a judge as an “appalling” breach of trust.

A primary school teacher is behind bars after he preyed on multiple students, leaving one young girl feeling manipulated and abused.

Kerry Mark Field Buranyi-Trevarton, 43, was jailed for over six years after a judge slammed his actions as an “appalling” breach of trust.

During sentencing, the District Court heard Buranyi-Trevarton was employed as a teacher at an Adelaide primary school where the victims attended.

After completing his employment at the school, Buranyi-Trevarton maintained contact with some of the students via Facebook Messenger.

The court heard Buranyi-Trevarton, who was married at the time, said he was drinking at least a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and half a carton of beer daily.

Primary school teacher Kerry Buranyi-Trevarton was jailed for preying on students. Photo: File

“You admitted that you had made a number of sexually suggestive and inappropriate comments to them (two of the victims), largely when inebriated,” Judge Joanne Tracey said.

“You say that you would never have taken those conversations further and denied any sexual interest in either child.

“You characterised your inappropriate sexualised communications with them as jovial, smart-arse and tongue in cheek comments.”

However, Judge Tracey said she rejected Buranyi-Trevarton’s explanations and found his interpretation of the messages to be “totally disingenuous and breathtakingly self-focused”.

The Aberfoyle Park father was found guilty of two counts of communicating with the intention of making a child amenable to sexual activity after a judge-alone trial.

The two victims were aged 11 and 12 at the time of the offending.

He also pleaded guilty to indecent assault, relating to a separate 13-year-old girl he inappropriately touched on the thigh.

In her statement, one of the victims said her mental health had been severely impacted.

“She says they were always taught stranger danger, but queried what are they supposed to think when it is someone you have been told you can trust,” Judge Tracey said.

“She feels manipulated and abused.”

The other victim said the betrayal of trust has been overwhelming and her sense of safety and security has been stripped away.

Buranyi-Trevarton told a psychologist he spoke to the victims because he was feeling depressed and isolated and needed somebody to talk to.

The psychologist found Buranyi-Trevarton did not meet the diagnostic criteria for pedophilia but rather his capacity to make sound judgments was significantly compromised by his chronic use of alcohol.

“You say you are disgusted in yourself for having caused them so much pain,” Judge Tracey said.

Judge Tracey said Buranyi-Trevarton’s “appalling” offending was a gross breach of trust and for his own sexual gratification.

“They were supposed to trust you, but you took advantage of young, vulnerable children,” she said.

She sentenced him to six years and five months jail, with a non-parole period of five years and one month.

The sentence was backdated to May 10, 2024.

Originally published as Primary school teacher Kerry Buranyi-Trevarton jailed for preying on students