A former New South Wales teacher, Gaye Grant, who admitted to a historical sexual offence involving a 10-year-old student in the 1970s, is on track to have her conviction overturned due to a legal technicality. Grant was initially sentenced to six years and nine months in prison following her guilty plea. However, her case bears resemblance to that of Helga Lam, another teacher, whose historical sexual charges were dismissed earlier this year owing to outdated legislation.
Grant’s barrister argued that her conviction should not stand as her plea should not be considered a legal confession. Grant, now in her late 70s, was granted bail as her appeal proceeds. The Court of Criminal Appeal is yet to deliver a final decision on this matter. Grant’s case highlights the intricacies and legal complexities involved in historical sexual offence cases, especially when statutes from past eras are applied to current legal proceedings.
