A former teacher, devoid of any remorse, has been labeled by a judge as lacking any moral or social value after exploiting numerous boys over nearly thirty years.
Keith Athol Bates-Willie, aged 71, was convicted in August of 14 offenses, which include persistent child sexual abuse, indecent assault, rape, and aggravated sexual assault.
The offenses took place from the late 1970s to the mid-2000s while Bates-Willie was employed at Rosetta High School, Kingston High School, and Rosny College, located in Hobart.
His acts of abuse unfolded in various school environments, such as darkrooms and meditation sessions, as well as stairwells, his personal residence, a spa, and even aboard a Bass Strait ferry.
During sentencing, Judge Stephen Estcourt noted Bates-Willie’s complete lack of remorse, emphasizing the distress he caused his victims by making them revisit their traumatic experiences during the trial.
“The actions inflicted on many of his students exemplify those of a person devoid of moral and social worth,” Justice Estcourt declared at the Supreme Court of Tasmania today.
“He did not once look at or acknowledge his victims in court during the reading of victim impact statements.
“He has not acknowledged his crimes and that causes me concern.”
Bates-Willie, who was charged in 2022, egregiously called his victims liars and copycats, and accused them of chasing compensation, Justice Estcourt said.
Bates-Willie was jailed for 21 years and won’t be eligible for parole for 11 years.
His lawyer Jessie Sawyer urged Justice Estcourt to not hand down a “crushing sentence” partly because her client was likely to die in jail without his loved ones by his side.
Sawyer also said the early abuse occurred in the context of Bates-Willie only just graduating and when he was “finding his place” as a teacher.
Some of the abuse was at the lower end of the scale and although he was in a position of trust it “wasn’t as serious” as being perpetrated by a parent or guardian, Sawyer said.
“I reject that submission out of hand, this is one of the most serious cases I have seen,” Justice Estcourt said.
Several members of the public present in the courtroom let out audible gasps during Sawyer’s submissions.
The 16 witnesses who gave evidence at the trial had provided overwhelming evidence of guilt on all charges, Justice Estcourt said.
Sawyer said a medical report had found Bates-Willie was at a low risk of re-offending.
Justice Estcourt noted the same report concluded Bates-Willie should avoid contact with anyone under the age of 18.
He has been placed on the sex offender register for the rest of his life.
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