A private school drama teacher, William Roberto Gulson, 28, entered court this week clutching the hand of his gemstone heiress mother, Sally Sherman Gulson, as he faced conviction on a serious paedophilia charge. The former staff member at the prestigious Knox Grammar School on Sydney's north shore, where fees reach $45,000 annually, was found guilty of one count of procuring a child under 16 for unlawful sexual activity.
Grindr Messages Reveal Grooming Attempt
Evidence presented in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court included Grindr messages where Gulson communicated with a person he believed was a 15-year-old boy. In the exchanges, he suggested meeting for sex, stating he could "come to your house" and find a "quiet place" for the encounter. Unbeknownst to him, the teenager was actually a young woman operating a fake profile with the intent to "catch pedos," leading to his arrest by Ku-ring-gai detectives in September 2024.
Lavish Lifestyle Contrasts with Legal Troubles
While on bail, Gulson holidayed in the south of France with his mother, Sally, a socialite known to call her son "Bubba" and "my dancing man." Their close bond was evident as they arrived at court hand-in-hand, with Gulson maintaining a defiant posture despite the gravity of the charges. The pair reside in a $3 million five-bedroom house in Wahroonga, and have travelled extensively to destinations like Egypt and the Czech Republic, often documented on social media.
Court Rejects Gulson's Defences
During the trial, Gulson testified that he never believed the Grindr user was a child and claimed that incriminating internet searches, such as "young boy raped movie scene," might have been auto-filled. However, Local Court Judge Hugh Donnelly dismissed these denials as "wholly unconvincing" and noted they had "the hallmark of recent invention." The judge concluded that Gulson exhibited a sexual interest in children, leading to the guilty verdict.
Impact on Career and Community
Gulson, a Knox Grammar graduate from 2014, had built a career as a drama and English teacher, choreographer for school musicals, and mentor for Year 7 students. He also ran his own tutoring business and worked with dance companies. Following his arrest, Knox Grammar principal Scott James informed parents that the incident occurred outside school hours and did not involve school equipment, with Gulson's employment terminated immediately. In 2023, he had received the school's "Living Our Values" award, highlighting a stark contrast to his current predicament.
Sentencing and Future Proceedings
Gulson now faces a maximum sentence of 12 years imprisonment. He is scheduled to return to court for a sentencing hearing on March 20. The case has drawn attention to online safety and vigilante efforts to combat child exploitation, underscoring the severe consequences of such offences in the educational and legal spheres.
