High achiever sues sexual abuse science teacher and his employer over ‘heinous’ crimes

A Tassie woman sexually abused by her high school science teacher is suing him and his employer in a court trial — and she was supported by former Australian of the Year Grace Tame.

Katrina Munting (centre) and former Australian of the Year Grace Tame (right) outside the Supreme Court of Tasmania. Ms Munting is suing her former science teacher who sexually abused her as a teenager, along with his employer, the state of Tasmania. Picture: Amber Wilson

IN 1998, Katrina Bolton was a “bright, bubbly, happy” teenage girl and one of Rose Bay High’s most talented students.

The self-described “teacher’s pet or goody-two-shoes” was an undeniable high achiever, who ultimately entered university with an ATAR entrance score of 99.

But the “heinous” conduct of her science teacher and sexual abuser, Marcus James Pollard, meant the talented youngster’s future did not unfold as she’d hoped – and had worked so hard for.

In October 2020, Pollard was finally jailed for 18 months over the historic child sexual abuse he committed when he was 41, and Katrina – now Munting – was 15.

The following year, Mrs Munting announced plans to sue her former teacher and his then-employer, the state of Tasmania, for damages caused by negligence, assault and battery she said occurred between 1998 and 1999.

On Monday, the civil judge-only trial finally began in the Supreme Court of Tasmania – although Pollard was nowhere to be seen, and didn’t appear when called by court staff.

Barrister Ken Read SC noted Pollard “doesn’t want to participate”.

Mrs Munting was supported in court by former Australian of the Year, Grace Tame.

Katrina Munting is suing her high school science teacher and sexual abuser, Marcus Pollard, plus his then-employer, the state of Tasmania. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

In his opening address before Acting Justice David Porter, Mr Read said Mrs Munting had been a high achiever at school and had been making her mark on Rose Bay High.

“She wanted to do exceptionally well, to please everyone,” he said.

“But what might have been was irreparably and irreversibly damaged by Pollard’s behaviour.”

Mr Read said Mrs Munting had “powerful feelings of self-blame, shame and guilt” caused by the alleged “the heinous assaults and batteries” inflicted by Pollard, and now suffered from complex post traumatic stress disorder.

He said the career opportunities for someone of Mrs Munting’s intelligence and diligence “were closed off to her”.

“What might have been her future was not to be.”

Mr Read said Mrs Munting was no longer pursuing a case against Rodney Allan Radford, the former Rose Bay High principal.

Barrister Kate Cuthbertson SC, acting for the state of Tasmania, said the government had admitted to vicarious liability, with a damages sum to be assessed.

According to Mrs Munting’s statement of claim, she says she’s lost the opportunity to reach her full career and earning potential.

The defences filed by Pollard and the state of Tasmania have not yet been released.

The trial is expected to run over three days with an expert witness on Wednesday, followed by seven lay witnesses.

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