Paedophile Woodlawn Teacher Sentenced to 10 Years" Jail for Sexual and Physical Abuse in 1980s

ABC News
October 9, 2015

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-09/woodlawn-catholic-school-teacher-sentenced-for-abuse/6841142

PHOTO: The St Johns' Catholic College at Woodlawn in Lismore where the abuse took place. (ABC News: Bruce MacKenzie )

A former teacher at a Catholic school on the New South Wales north coast has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for sexually and physically abusing boys in his care.

Richard O'Connor was a dormitory master at the St John's College in Woodlawn, just outside Lismore, during the 1980s.

An investigation into his activities began in April last year.

The 75-year-old pleaded guilty to more than 40 charges of physically and sexually assaulting 12 boys between the ages of 12 and 16 during the 1980s.

A district court judge today described his actions as a gross breach of trust.

The court heard one victim still carried a 10 centimetre scar after he was caned for screaming in pain while being sexually assaulted.

One of the victims previously told the court his former teacher was a paedophile and a "parasite" who turned a happy-go-lucky boy into a scared, cowering child.

He said he attempted suicide as a result of ongoing mental anguish.

O'Connor, as well as some of his victims, sat expressionless as a non-parole period of six-and-a-half years was announced.