'Predatory' ex-Trinity Grammar teacher Neil Albert Futcher sentenced to 18 years' jail for sex abuse.

By Raveen Hunjan

A former Trinity Grammar school teacher who sexually abused six boys has been sentenced to 18 years and four months in prison.

Neil Albert Futcher was found guilty of sexually abusing the boys, who were as young as 11, between 1974 and 1981 when he was their teacher and swimming coach.

He was found guilty of 22 offences, including eight counts of buggery and ten counts of indecent assault, at a jury trial.

Judge Girdham said the man had been “predatory, systematic, corrupting, sustained” in his offending and needed to be made accountable.

“There was no remorse or contrition displayed by the offender at any stage,” she said.

Judge Girdham added Futcher had taught his godson about masturbation when the boy was 16 years old, believing the information to be educational.

She also noted the man had referenced other cultures and time periods when sex with children was considered acceptable in his evidence to the court, which Judge Girdham said were “distortions”.

“The offender being a teacher and sports coach in primary school in respect to three complainants … committed his offences against them in breach of trust,” she said.

“Their lives have been profoundly affected by their dreadful experiences.”

‘We all wanted to look at him in the eye’

For some victims, the judge explained compliance was obtained through threats of harm and exposure to family and peers.

“It is uncontested that four of the victims were groomed to be compliant,” she said.

One of the victims previously told the court his experience with Futcher “was like a scene from hell”.

Outside court today, a survivor who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said he was pleased with the outcome.

“It was as good as we could have imagined,” he said.

“I did note that he’s still denying everything, which is distressing.”

Earlier in the day, the sentencing was stalled when Futcher did not appear in court as had been expected, and victims were informed the man was at Nowra correctional facilities.

“I thought it was a joke, I thought it was a set-up and I thought it would get delayed because he had to appear,” one victim said.

“We all wanted to look at him in the eye.”

The handful of victims in the courtroom, some who attended with family, agreed to allow Futcher to instead appear via video-link.

“It was hard for us to make the decision to continue today, but I’m glad it was done … we had to get it done to get on with our lives and the healing that needs to take place.”

Futcher was handed a non-parole period of 11 years and will be eligible for release in 2027.

This post originally appeared on ABC News.