Former teacher jailed for 7.5 years for 1980s sexual assault of two schoolgirls

A former physical education teacher serving Australia’s longest sentence for child sexual abuse offences against his daughter has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years for “brazen and forcible” sexual crimes against two schoolgirls in his care in the 1980s.

In December, William “Rob” Gilfillan was found guilty of indecent assault of a person under 16 and sexual penetration of a child under 16. The five counts against two victims took place at Traralgon high school in Gippsland, Victoria.

Gilfillan, 69, appeared via video link from Barwon prison for sentencing before chief justice Amanda Chambers. He repeatedly shook his head as she detailed his crimes. Chambers said Gilfillan denies his offending and there is no prospect of rehabilitation.

“Teachers are entrusted by their schools and school communities in the performance of their role,” Chambers said.

“This case highlights the profound and enduring harm caused where offending transgresses that foundational relationship of trust.”

Chambers said she had to take into account the unprecedented length of the sentence imposed by the New South Wales district court in 2016 for the rape and torture of his daughter, which meant Gilfillan would not be eligible for parole until he was 92.

“If you are not granted parole, by the time you have served your 48-year sentence, you will have reached the age of 104,” Chambers said.

“It is more likely than not that you will die in custody. I am not aware of any sentence imposed in Victoria for the offence of incest that is comparable … and that is not to be taken as a criticism … but rather a reflection of the gravity of your offending in that state.”

Chambers said to add to the 48-year sentence would result in a “wholly disproportionate sentence for the entirety of your criminality” and ordered the sentence be served concurrently with the sentence imposed in NSW.

“It is nonetheless important to recognise and state that the individual sentences of imprisonment imposed on you today are a vindication of the two victims whose accounts of your sexual abuse were believed despite your denials,” Chambers said.

Chambers said the decision to offend against the two girls was a “reasoned, albeit perverted one, engaged in for your own sexual gratification”.

“There are a number of features of your offending that mark its seriousness,” she said.

“Firstly, your offending against TC in the back of the school gym involved a brazen and forcible act of sexual penetration. In her evidence, TC described you thrusting your penis into her vagina, which she says really hurt.”

The court heard how another victim, known as BM, became an isolated teenager due to the hurt, confusion and pain she experienced and was in a “dark place for a very long time”.

Between 2016, when he was convicted in NSW, and December 2025, the media was not allowed to name Gilfillan because he was facing the Victorian charges before a jury.

However, in 2023, extensive interviews with Gilfillan and his former wife Karen Gilfillan were the basis of a podcast published by The Australian newspaper which raised doubt about their guilt. Karen was also jailed for her part in the sexual abuse of her daughter.

Guardian Australia revealed in April that Corrective Services NSW is investigating how The Australian’s journalist Richard Guilliatt was able to interview the couple while they were incarcerated. The podcast claimed the case may be a “grave miscarriage of justice”. The couple told The Australian: “We’re innocent … these things just did not happen.”

In the podcast, Shadow of Doubt, they were not named and their voices were distorted to protect their identities.

In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International