A former Marist brother and educator, clad in religious attire, has been sent to prison for the abuse of a student, and he expressed disbelief at his situation.

Cyril Alfred Hughes, 83, was led away by sheriffs from Parramatta District Court today, marking four decades since he assaulted a teenager at a Marist Brothers school in western Sydney.

Just prior to this, his lawyer was overheard advising him to refrain from discussing the nature of his conviction with other inmates.

“You need to proceed with caution,” counselled Greg Walsh.

Hughes, grasping the hand of a supporter who came to court, remarked, “It’s quite a surprise.”

Known also as Brother Thomas, the former educator was deemed unfit for trial earlier in April because of a range of health complications.

He was later found guilty in a special hearing of two counts of the since-repealed legislation of homosexual intercourse between a teacher and a pupil.

Hughes was acquitted of two charges alleging sexual touching between 1982 and 1984

Hughes groomed the boy over many years before committing the offences when the boy was 17.

Inviting his pupil into his school office and locking the door, Hughes engaged in oral sex before telling the boy it was “his turn” and forcing him to reciprocate.

“(Hughes) was wearing his white religious robes and bony brown pants underneath,” Judge Kara Robertson said today.

The victim, who cannot be legally named, kept quiet for 25 years until suffering a mental breakdown triggered by hearing someone else talk about Marist Brothers abuse.

Judge Robertson imposed a five-year limiting term on Hughes, expiring on December 10, 2030, finding he had abused the trust of the vulnerable student.

She acknowledged the ongoing emotional and psychological harm experienced by the victim, and commended his courage in reading out a powerful statement in court in November.

The court heard Hughes had various ailments including diabetes, obesity, depression and lymphoma, carrying a “poor to very poor” prognosis.

He had shown no remorse and was not of good character but was unlikely to reoffend given his age, the judge found.

Hughes will be registered as a sex offender until 2040.

Walsh and the victim declined to comment outside court.

Support is available by calling 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028.