A senior teacher at Sydney’s prestigious Knox Grammar School has been charged with an alleged child grooming offence. The teacher, 27-year-old William Gulson, was arrested in Wahroonga on Friday after an investigation into allegations he had groomed a child online. He was taken to Hornsby police station and charged with one count of procuring or grooming a child under 16 for unlawful sexual activity. Gulson was refused bail and was due to appear before Parramatta local court on Saturday afternoon.
In a letter to parents published in the Sydney Morning Herald, Scott James, Knox Grammar’s headmaster, said that when the allegations were brought to the school’s attention, “the teacher concerned was immediately removed from the school and his employment was terminated”.
“We are informed that the alleged exchange occurred outside school hours and premises and did not involve any school IT equipment,” James wrote.
“Knox is a child safe environment and in this situation, we took immediate precautionary action and worked with Police.”
James said the school would continue to provide “timely and transparent” communication on the matter “when possible” without compromising police and court processes.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Gulson was an English and drama teacher at at the school, as well as a year 7 mentor. He was also a previous student of Knox Grammar, according to the profile.
The Allegations
The allegations against Mr Gulson are serious and have sent shockwaves through the Knox Grammar community. Police allege that Mr Gulson engaged in inappropriate online communications with a child, who he believed to be 15 years old. The court heard that Mr Gulson allegedly responded by saying: “Sorry dude, I feel super conflicted … do you find it hot that you are as old as some of my students?” Mr Gulson’s defence lawyer told the court the circumstances of the alleged offence were “effectively a form of vigilantism” and “entrapment by members of the community”. He also told the court his client had no previous criminal history and no pattern of similar behaviour.
The Response
Knox Grammar has taken swift and decisive action in response to the allegations. The school has terminated Mr Gulson’s employment and has been working closely with police throughout the investigation. The school has also pledged to provide parents with timely and transparent communication on the matter. In a statement, Knox Grammar Headmaster Scott James said: “We are informed that the alleged exchange occurred outside school hours and premises and did not involve any school IT equipment. Knox is a child safe environment and in this situation, we took immediate precautionary action and worked with police.”
The Bail Hearing
Mr Gulson faced Parramatta Local Court on Saturday, where he was granted bail under strict conditions. He is banned from using social media or dating apps and is not allowed to enter Knox Grammar School or loiter nearby. He is also banned from having any contact with people under 18. Magistrate Brennan granted him strict conditional bail, telling the court, “though it is serious and carries a hefty jail sentence, I note that he's got no priors”.
A Disturbing Development
The allegations against Mr Gulson are a disturbing development for the Knox Grammar community. The school is known for its strong academic record and its commitment to the well-being of its students. The allegations have raised questions about the school’s child safety policies and procedures. The school has said it is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. It remains to be seen how this case will unfold. Mr Gulson is due to appear in court again on a later date.
A Call for Action
This case highlights the importance of online safety for children. Parents and educators need to be vigilant about the risks that children face online. It is also important to remember that grooming is a serious crime. If you suspect that a child is being groomed online, please report it to the authorities. The Australian Centre to Counter Child Sexual Exploitation (ACCCE) is a good resource for parents and educators who are concerned about online safety for children. You can reach them at 1800 777 777.
