Whyalla primary school teacher and child sexal offender Trent Hay’s name revealed after suppression order lifted

A Whyalla primary school teacher who committed sickening acts against students in a classroom can finally be revealed after a suppression order was lifted on his name.

A primary school teacher who committed vile acts against three students, including giving one lollies to keep it a secret can finally be exposed.

Trent James Hay’s name can now be revealed after a suppression order was lifted in the Port Augusta District Court this week.

After a trial in the District Court, Auxiliary Judge Gordon Barrett found Hay guilty of two counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual abuse of a child.

Primary school teacher Trent James Hay’s name can now be revealed after a suppression order was lifted in the Port Augusta District Court this week. Picture: iStock

In a judgment published online, the court heard Hay was a Whyalla primary school teacher who was charged with sexual offences against three young girls.

Hay indecently assaulted the first victim a few years ago.

“He pulled her pants down. He gave her a lolly. At the end of lunch he kissed her on the head,” the judgment read.

The court heard the man’s DNA was found in the first victim’s underpants.

The victim told her parents Hay gave her a Mentos because “she was a good girl and she had to keep it a secret”.

The court heard Hay also sexually abused two more students including pulling one girl between his legs and rubbing her bottom.

“When asked about how she felt when the accused rubbed her bottom she said that it made her feel ‘yucky’,” the judgment read.

The last victim said the man told her that she was “special” and sent her multiple notes asking her to meet him at lunch time.

On Tuesday, the court heard Hay moved to Whyalla with his wife in 2017 and have two children together.

“His family, his wife and his children became pariahs in Whyalla after his arrest,” Rob Walker, for Hay, said.

Mr Walker said Hay presented as a low risk of reoffending and his offending was at the lower end of the scale.

Rebecca Andersen, prosecuting, disagreed, saying the offending had had a profound impact on the victims and their families.

“He was a teacher and in a position of authority in relation to each of the children,” she said.

“This has rippled through the school community and even wider into the Whyalla community.”

After an application by the Advertiser, Auxiliary Judge Barrett lifted the suppression order on Hay’s name, which has been in effect since his arrest in July 2023.

Hay, who is in custody, will be sentenced at a later date.

Originally published as Whyalla primary school teacher and child sexal offender Trent Hay’s name revealed after suppression order lifted