A former drama teacher at Sydney’s elite Knox Grammar School appeared in Downing Centre Local Court on Monday to contest a charge that he procured a child under 16 for unlawful sexual activity after messaging what he is accused of believing was a 15‑year‑old on the dating app Grindr.
William Roberto Gulson, 28, pleaded not guilty to the single charge and has been on bail since he was charged in August 2024, court documents and submissions reported. Prosecutors say the messages were exchanged with an account that a 15‑year‑old girl and another teenager were operating as a sting to catch potential predators.
The prosecution told the court the account presented itself as a 15‑year‑old boy in year nine and that Gulson responded with messages indicating he was keen to meet and interested in "kissing, sucking, f***ing and cuddling." The defence did not dispute the content of the messages, but argued Gulson did not believe he was communicating with a child.
Gulson’s lawyer, Paul Glissan, told the court his client had been uncertain whether the account represented a real person, a robot or an adult. "He wasn't even sure that he was dealing with a real person," Glissan said. He argued that Grindr is restricted to adults and that Gulson's intention was never to engage in unlawful sexual activity with a child, whether the other party was real or fictitious.
According to the defence, Gulson asked for photographs and was sent an explicit image that appeared to be of an adult man. The court heard that Gulson later asked whether he could pick up the person he thought he was speaking with and offered to find a meeting place; at that point, the 15‑year‑old ended the conversation and deleted the fake profile, the prosecution said.
It is not alleged that any physical sexual contact occurred. The contested hearing heard evidence and legal submissions about Gulson’s state of mind and the circumstances of the online exchanges.
Knox Grammar School, located on Sydney’s upper north shore, is among Australia’s higher‑fee private schools. Annual tuition fees at Knox can reach more than A$43,000, with additional boarding costs for boarders.
Court proceedings are ongoing. Gulson remains on bail while the matter is before the court; further dates for hearings or trial were not specified at Monday’s appearance.
Anyone affected by issues raised in this story can contact support services including Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25), 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732, or the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028.