UPDATE: A former teacher at Sydney’s elite Knox Grammar School, William Roberto Gulson, is facing serious allegations and has denied intentionally searching for child abuse material online. In a court hearing on October 25, 2023, Gulson claimed he has no memory of searching for terms like “gay child porn,” suggesting it could have been an autofill suggestion from a search engine.
The prosecution, led by Jessica Chan, pressed Gulson on his troubling internet history, which includes searches for phrases that raise red flags, such as “young boy raped movie scene” and “movies about priests molesting boys.” When challenged about these searches, Gulson asserted, “Look at anyone’s phone. I’m sure lots of people type in eyebrow-raising searches.”
This hearing at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court comes after Gulson pleaded not guilty to charges of procuring a child under 16 for sexual purposes. The charges stem from a disturbing interaction on a dating app, Grindr, where Gulson engaged in explicit conversations with a 15-year-old girl posing as a boy. The court heard that he continued the explicit chat for over 40 minutes after being told the other party was school-aged.
Gulson maintained that he believed he was communicating with an adult, despite the profile indicating that the user was in year 9. A shocking message from the fake profile revealed the user was indeed only 15 years old. Gulson’s response, “Wow, so young, I feel conflicted,” has raised eyebrows in the courtroom.
Under cross-examination, Gulson downplayed the seriousness of the exchange, suggesting it was a bizarre attempt by a “wacko adult” to impersonate a child. Prosecutor Chan emphasized the gravity of the situation, questioning why he didn’t end the conversation if there was even a slight chance he was speaking to a minor.
In a dramatic turn, evidence was presented showing that photos saved on Gulson’s phone from the fake profile indicated potential interest in underage individuals. Gulson explained that he saved such images for identity verification purposes, but Chan pointed out that no references were found for any reverse image searches in the extensive data collected from his phone.
Gulson’s lawyer, Paul Glissan, sought to dismiss the charge, arguing that the minors involved had no intention of meeting him. However, Chan countered that the intent of the minors is irrelevant to the charges against the 28-year-old former educator.
This case has drawn significant public attention, raising concerns over the safety of children online and the responsibilities of educators. The hearing continues as the court examines the implications of Gulson’s actions and the serious nature of the allegations.
For those seeking support, assistance is available through 1800 RESPECT at 1800 737 732, a national service providing help for sexual abuse and redress.
As the trial progresses, all eyes will be on the unfolding developments, and the community is left to grapple with the implications of this shocking case. Expect further updates as the situation evolves.
