Perth swimming teacher jailed for a year over child sex abuse

A PERTH swimming teacher who sexually abused a 14-year-old girl and sent her inappropriate text messages has been sentenced to two years in prison.

Anthony Craig Dvorak, 50, kissed and inappropriately touched the girl between March 2016 and July 2017, the West Australian District Court heard on Thursday.

Judge Kathleen Glancy described Dvorak’s crimes as “corrupting, abhorrent and detrimental to (the girl’s) wellbeing”.

She said Dvorak committed a breach of trust and took advantage of a vulnerable girl.

“All sexual offending against children is serious,” she said.

Referring to the girl’s victim impact statement, Judge Glancy said the teenager had mental health issues, was socially isolated and withdrawn.

Dvorak pleaded guilty to seven offences including indecently dealing with a child, encouraging a child to engage in sexual behaviour and using electronic communication to procure a child to engage in sexual activity.

Judge Glancy accepted Dvorak was remorseful but said he still lacked some insight into his offending.

She noted he had written a letter to the victim via the court, but said it would be up to the girl whether she wanted to receive it.

The judge told Dvorak he was lucky to have the support of his wife of 25 years, who was also his childhood sweetheart, to which he replied: “Absolutely.”

Many letters of support were submitted on Dvorak’s behalf, describing him as caring and trustworthy.

They also described his offending as out of character.

An expert report concluded he was at low risk of reoffending.

But Judge Glancy said it would be inappropriate to suspend the prison term, given the seriousness of his offending.

Dvorak must spend at least one year behind bars before he can be eligible for parole.