A woman who was abused by a teacher when she was six years old has spoken of the deep rage, panic and hatred she felt during that time.
Michael Randall in the 1980s. Photo: SUPPLIED
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, gave a victim impact statement at the sentencing of a former Wellington teacher, Michael Joseph Randall, in the Wellington District Court this afternoon.
Randall, who is now 64, was jailed for nine months on two charges of indecently assaulting a girl under 12.
That term will be added on to a four year, three month sentence imposed on Randall earlier this year after he pleaded guilty to 10 charges of indecent assault relating to other former students.
The offending happened in the 1980s when he was teaching at St Anne's School in Newtown in Wellington.
While checking the victim's school work, Randall would place her hand on his trousers and use it to rub himself.
The offending took place about once a fortnight over a year.
Judge Peter Hobbs said that one day, when the girl skinned her knee during the lunch break, Randall took her to the first aid room, where he put his hand up her skirt, rubbed her upper thighs and skimmed her undies with his fingers.
In her statement the victim said she wanted to run and shout about the abuse but she had nowhere to go that year.
However, she said she knew someone would eventually listen and there would be consequences for Randall.
Offending still remembered
She also spoke of aspects of the offending she still remembered, "the loop of the carpet, your breath on my neck, the way you rested your feet on the footstool".
The woman said Randall had betrayed the Christian principles he was teaching and had ruined many lives.
"You've tried to get away with it at every step of the way. It's hard to believe you're repentant and remorseful when at no point did you ever show that."
She said it seems Randall was always looking out for himself without regard for anyone else.
Judge Peter Hobbs said there were several aggravating features to Randall's offending, including the gross breach of trust.
"All children should expect to be safe and not suffer abuse from those charged with caring for young children".
Judge Hobbs said the nine months added to Randall's sentence was no reflection of the gravity of the offending but needed to be seen in light of the total jail term he would serve for all his crimes.
