Guilty verdict and renewed imprisonment
A veteran school teacher in Sydney will spend another nine months behind bars after a Downing Centre District Court ruling that his six months spent on remand were not sufficient punishment. Vasilious Kafataris, 57, was found guilty earlier this year by a jury of grooming a 15-year-old student for sex in 2014 and admitted to a separate charge of repeated sexual touching of a different student seven years later.
The facts of the case
Prosecutors outlined a pattern of predatory behavior that stretched beyond a single incident. In the grooming offence, the judge noted that Kafataris phoned the student late at night and engaged in conduct intended to sexually arouse her. He also performed a disturbing act—placing his genitals on a countertop while instructing the victim to touch herself. Gifts, cigarettes, and cash were part of his grooming toolkit, the judge stated, underscoring a calculated breach of trust between teacher and pupil.
Legal arguments and judge’s reasoning
During sentencing, Kafataris argued that the disappearance of danger was mitigated because he did not teach the student directly, suggesting a reduced level of responsibility. The judge rejected this, clarifying that supervision in sport and after-school activities still placed him in a position of authority over the student. The court underscored that the relationship had an explicit power imbalance, a key factor in severity of sentencing for grooming offences.
Regarding the separate charge of sexual touching of a 17-year-old student, Kafataris claimed the acts were merely kisses—a frequent point of contention in such cases. The court did not accept this interpretation, noting that the kissing occurred on school grounds, twice on the lips, and after a moment that involved approaching the student as she walked away. The judge specified that the act, coupled with the context and timing, amounted to a prohibited sexual engagement rather than innocent contact.
Impact of bereavement and mental state
The court acknowledged Kafataris’ personal grief as a factor in his overall conduct, admitting it might have influenced his later behavior. However, the judge ruled that most grief did not relate to the grooming offence itself, which occurred years before many of the bereavements. This distinction limited the weight of those emotions in determining punishment but did not absolve him of responsibility for the offences.
Sentence and implications
Kafataris received a 15-month sentence with a non-parole period backdated to April, making him eligible for release in July 2026. In addition, he received an 11-month community corrections order related to the sexual touching offences. The court’s decision reflects a broader stance on safeguarding students and holding educators to account for predatory conduct in and out of classroom settings.
Why this case matters
This case highlights the ongoing concerns about trust breaches by people in positions of educational authority. It underscores the critical distinction between perceived minor gestures and illegal acts, and it reinforces that grooming and sexual touching toward students, regardless of age, carry serious legal consequences. For families and schools, the outcome reinforces the importance of vigilant safeguarding practices and robust reporting mechanisms to protect young people.
Looking ahead
As the legal process concludes, supporters of victims emphasise the need for continued education about consent, boundaries, and the harmful impact of inappropriate conduct by teachers. Legal experts note that while remand time can influence a defendant’s sentence, it does not negate the gravity of offences involving students, particularly when trust and vulnerability are at stake.
Related resources
For families seeking guidance on safeguarding practices, local resources and child protection services provide support, including reporting hotlines and educational materials about recognizing warning signs and ensuring safe school environments.
