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'Disgusting pedophile': Trusted teacher sexually abused 16 students

A pedophile teacher has shaken uncontrollably in a Sydney court before being sentenced to 18 years in jail.

The assistant principal groomed young trusting boys and deceived their parents as he plotted his crimes.

Sydney pedophile teacher Shane Matthews was sentenced at Campbelltown Court for sexually abusing 16 students.
A pedophile teacher, Shane Andrew Matthews, shook uncontrollably in a Sydney court before being sentenced to 18 years in jail. Source: 7 News

Victims and their families gathered at Campbelltown Court on Monday to see justice delivered as Shane Andrew Matthews was sentenced to 18 years behind bars.

The trusted teacher sexually abused 16 primary school students. His crimes were described as calculated, predatory and systematic.

The court heard his victims were boys aged only 10 and 11, and he used reward systems to build their trust.

Sydney pedophile teacher Shane Matthews was sentenced at Campbelltown Court for sexually abusing 16 students.
The assistant principal groomed young trusting primary school boys and deceived their parents as he plotted his crimes. Source: 7 News

Matthews would target students who needed extra help, abusing them in special tutoring sessions.

The teacher rocked back and forth, shaking uncontrollably as the graphic details of his offences were read to the court. The judge said he had low prospects of rehabilitation.

“As to whether he is truly remorseful and contrite… to my mind he fails to demonstrate any remorse,” Judge Jennifer English said.

Sydney pedophile teacher Shane Matthews was sentenced at Campbelltown Court (pictured) for sexually abusing 16 students.
Victims and their families gathered at Campbelltown Court to see justice delivered as Shane Andrew Matthews was sentenced to 18 years behind bars. Source: 7 News

“He’s a disgusting pedophile,” one man said outside court.

“We’ve saved a lot of kids locking him up and happy that he’s not gonna offend for a long time.”

“I think that’s the thing that blind-sided most people that he made sure he was well liked,” one woman added.

Matthews will be eligible for parole in 2028.