Australian teacher pleads guilty to sex with 15yo student, grooming and child abuse material charges

By Staff Reporter Newcastle, NSW — 28 November 2025 A 37-year-old Australian teacher, Karly Rae, has dramatically changed her plea to guilty in Newcastle District Court, admitting to sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy and related child exploitation offences. Rae pleaded guilty on Thursday to four charges: Sexual intercourse with a child under 16 Possession of child abuse material Grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity Attempting to pervert the course of justice The offences took place in Newcastle, 160 km north of Sydney, in October 2024. Court documents show the teacher used Snapchat and Instagram to contact the teenager. Messages read to the court included: “Hey, sorry for removing you on Snap. I found it too tempting for now.” Suggesting “one last rendezvous before school goes back” and adding, “I’ll bring my toy.” The boy’s cousin discovered the Instagram conversations and told the victim’s parents, who immediately contacted police. Upon arrest, Rae claimed she believed the 15-year-old was of legal age and finishing school. Originally set down for trial in August 2026, the matter was fast-tracked after Rae’s lawyer argued her recent motherhood required the case to be dealt with as a priority. Rae was granted bail in June 2025
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