<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A former boarding school teacher accused of grooming a child on a dating app was not sure he was messaging with a real person, his lawyer says.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>William Roberto Gulson taught at Knox Grammar School in Sydney's north before he was charged over his messaging with a 15-year-old girl, posing as a boy, in August 2024.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 28-year-old faced a contested hearing today after pleading not guilty to procuring a child under 16 for unlawful sexual activity.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/new-zealand-jetski-death/56c811a0-d7c7-4ee7-bb74-fa58e39bf540" target="_blank"><strong><span>Teacher who beat cancer killed in tragic jet ski accident</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 15-year-old and another teenager were running a fake profile on the LGBTQI dating app Grindr to catch pedophiles, a prosecutor told the Downing Centre Local Court.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Their account was under a pseudonym and was being operated by the girl when Gulson began sending messages.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Though the fake profile presented as a 15-year-old boy in year nine, Gulson said he was keen on meeting and interested in "kissing, sucking, f---ing and cuddling".</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/former-teacher-accused-of-grooming-messaged-child-on-dating-app/7741a4b9-2558-48d0-b3f1-be777fd97318" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The defence did not dispute the messages.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, Gulson's lawyer pointed out that Grindr is restricted to adults, and the former drama teacher had not believed he was talking to a child.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He wasn't even sure that he was dealing with a real person," lawyer Paul Glissan told the court.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The text messages indicate his scepticism over whether he's dealing with a real person or a robot."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"His intention was never to have unlawful sexual activity with anybody - whether that be a real person or a fictitious person."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>After requesting photos from the account, Gulson received an explicit image that appeared to be of an adult man, Glissan said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Gulson eventually asked if he could pick up the person he believed he was talking to and offered to find a meeting place.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At that point, the 15-year-old ended the conversation and deleted the fake profile, the prosecution said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is not alleged that any sexual activity took place.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Gulson has been on bail since being charged a year ago.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Knox Grammar, on Sydney's upper north shore, is among Australia's most elite schools, charging annual fees of up to $43,170 per student.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Boarding sets families back another $39,210 per student.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Support is available from the</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>at</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/" title="https://www.1800respect.org.au/"><strong><span>1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)</span></strong></a><strong><span>.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>For under 25s: Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.</span></strong></div></div>