Arabic version: حكم على معلم بالسجن لمدة عامين بتهمة الاعتداء على طالب

A former high school teacher in the Hunter region has been sentenced to a minimum of two years in prison for grooming and sexually assaulting a teenage boy. Karly Rae, 37, pleaded guilty to four offences, including having sexual intercourse with a child aged between 14 and 16, grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity, and possessing child abuse material.

According to ABC News, the incident began when Rae contacted the 15-year-old victim through social media in September 2024. Although the boy attended the same school, he did not know Rae as she worked in a different part of the school campus. During their communications, Rae suggested they meet up and later took him to a local sportsground where the assault occurred.

The Newcastle District Court heard that Rae admitted to her victim in messages that she “should never have done it” and expressed that she took full responsibility for her actions. Police later discovered explicit messages and videos on Rae’s phone, leading to her arrest.

During the sentencing, Judge Peter Marr emphasized the severity of Rae’s actions, stating that no other sentence than imprisonment was appropriate. Rae’s emotional response in court was noted, particularly as someone in the public gallery urged her not to go through with the sentencing. Judge Marr also mentioned that he was not fully convinced of Rae’s remorse, despite her acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

The victim’s impact statement revealed the lasting emotional toll of the assault, indicating that he struggled to recall positive memories from his school experience and felt a sense of shame. Rae will be eligible for parole in December 2027, after serving her minimum sentence.