A former teacher who sexually abused more than a dozen boys at a school in Sydney's south-west had written letters to each of his victims while he was behind bars, a court has heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Shane Andrew Matthews, 31, pleaded guilty to 33 offences, mostly committed against 15 children aged between 10 and 12 at Wattle Grove Public School between 2012 and 2015.
He later became an assistant principal at Woodlands Road Public School.
The offences included persistent child sexual abuse, indecent assault and procuring a child for unlawful sexual activity.
His defence barrister, Sue Kluss, told a sentence hearing at Campbelltown District Court on Tuesday that Matthews had written letters to each of his victims that would go to prosecutors.
The letters, which had not been sent to the boys, were still at Silverwater jail, the court heard.
Matthews has been in custody since police arrested him at his Bradbury home in 2016.
Ms Kluss said a psychologist had diagnosed him with an autism spectrum disorder, which she said would affect his ability to empathise and read emotions in others.
She acknowledged the sentence proceedings had caused "a significant amount of stress" for those involved but asked for more time to try to secure extra legal aid funding for a psychiatrist report.
Ms Kluss also urged the judge to impose an aggregate sentence, instead of imposing separate sentences for each charge, due to the "sheer number of offences".
Matthews' early guilty pleas indicated remorse and he had his family's support, she said.
Judge Jennifer English apologised to the packed courtroom for the delay but said Matthews had the right to fair proceedings.
On Monday, Matthews had sat with his head bowed as powerful statements written by four of his child victims were read in the courtroom, which was filled with the boys and their families.
One victim spoke of his fears he would not be believed if he came forward about Matthews' abuse, and of being teased and called a liar by his friends when he confided in them.
"I felt everyone really liked my teacher and I felt very weird around him," the boy said.
"Everyone loved him so much, why would they believe a kid like me over him?
"You are supposed to be safe at school, and I was let down."
The case returns to court on June 8. Matthews is expected to be sentenced later this year.
