Former Rose Bay science teacher paroled after 18 months behind bars for sexually abusing student

A former high school teacher who repeatedly sexually abused one of his students in the 1990s been released from jail on parole.

A FORMER Rose Bay science teacher who repeatedly sexually abused one of his Grade 9 students in the 1990s is a free man again.

Marcus James Pollard, 65, served 18 months at Risdon Prison – decades after targeting the girl when she was just 15 years old.

While sentencing Pollard in October 2020, Supreme Court Chief Justice Alan Blow said Pollard had abused the girl in the school photography darkroom after months of “slow and steady grooming”.

He had frequently brushed up against the girl and touched her at school, chatted to her on the telephone, kissed her in his office, and touched and kissed her on a school camping trip.

Marcus Pollard leaves the Supreme Court of Tasmania, Hobart. Picture Chris Kidd

Chief Justice Blow described his crimes as an “appalling breach of trust” and that the victim-survivor had carried the “burden of a secret sexual relationship”, believing Pollard could interfere with her marks at school and therefore her future career.

Pollard pleaded to the persistent sexual abuse of a young person and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 18 months.

He also had his name placed on the sex offenders register for four years.

In its newly-published decision, the Parole Board of Tasmania said his time at Risdon had been Pollard’s first time in custody, with no prior criminal record other than some traffic matters.

The board also said he held the “trusted position” of editor and publisher of the prisoner magazine, The Insider, and had been described by his supervisor as “highly capable and reliable”.

Marcus Pollard leaves the Supreme Court of Tasmania, Hobart. Picture Chris Kidd

Pollard has been housed in minimum security, described as “compliant”, and has engaged in therapy during his sentence.

The parole board said he was classified as low risk for future sexual offending.

“There is no doubt that the actions of the applicant that constitute his crime are an affront to society and have left an indelible mark on the life of his victim. Her statement provided to the board has been carefully considered and is appreciated,” the board said.

“Her concern as to future contact with him can be ameliorated by the imposition of conditions preventing such contact as part of the order.”

Follow @ambervwilson