A former teacher who sexually abused two students at a northern NSW boarding school in the 1960s has been jailed for at least 11 years.
Leonard Albert Gardiner, 84, who for four years was a teacher at The Armidale School, was convicted of the historical child sexual offences in June after a Judge-alone trial.
The trial heard Gardiner had non-consensual anal sex with two male students, and indecently assaulted one of them, after he had offered them extra maths tutoring.
In Campbelltown District Court today, Judge Jennifer English sentenced Gardiner to 15 years in prison for the offence of "buggery," with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years from June 1 2022.
He was also sentenced to seven years in prison for the lesser offence of "maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child," from June 1 this year when he was taken into custody.
Judge English described the offences as "positively degrading" and "humiliating" for the victims, and a "gross breach of trust."
She said the offences occurred "in a place that was, at the time, the equivalent of their homes."
Judge English said she was unable to find that Gardiner showed any remorse or contrition.
"The offender denies any homosexual tendencies... he maintains the victims are 'co-conspirators.'"
'A very lonely boy'
The trial heard Gardiner abused his position of authority, and used the extra maths tutoring with one of the victims to develop a rapport.
"Over a period of time, he befriended me," the former student told the court.
The man also told the court Gardiner once began a conversation with him about "the birds and the bees."
"He said it was his duty – as a master there – to explain it all."
The court heard that soon after that discussion, Gardiner indecently assaulted the then-12-year-old, and attempted to explain it with reference to "the historic practices of Greek and Spartan cultures."
Both men gave Victim Impact Statements before a sentencing hearing in October, and spoke of the link between the assaults and their battles with mental health.
One of the victims said Gardiner had told him he has an "irresistible sexual allure."
"He told me this was my fault, and that I'd never have a successful relationship with a woman," he said.
Gardiner will be eligible to be considered for parole in June 2032.