By Comfort Asemota
A high-school teacher in Newcastle, New South Wales, has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 15-year-old student and attempting to influence him to mislead authorities.
Karly Rae, 37, appeared in court on Thursday, November 27, eight weeks after giving birth. She pleaded guilty to multiple child sexual offences. The paternity of her newborn has not been publicly disclosed.
According to court records, Rae had sexual contact with the underage student in October 2024, the same month she was arrested. The abuse occurred at various locations in Newcastle, where she worked as a teacher.
The court heard that Rae groomed her victim through messages on social media platforms including Snapchat and Instagram. In one message, she wrote: “Maybe we could have one last rendezvous before school goes back. I’ll bring my toy.” At other points, Rae acknowledged her wrongdoing, stating: “It’s my fault. I take full responsibility. Do what you want/need.”
Rae’s plea comes amid growing attention to child protection and online grooming laws in Australia. The case will continue to court proceedings, where sentencing and further details are expected to be addressed.
