A court has heard a New South Wales teacher's life was ruined by a man who impersonated him to groom a schoolgirl.
Gerard Daniel Lazarus, 46, pleaded guilty to 12 offences relating to two teenage girls, including using online chat rooms to groom them for sex.
The amateur astronomer also pleaded guilty to possessing child abuse material and told the court he liked fantasy chats of a sexual nature that involved degradation and humiliation.
His offending happened over eight years up until 2020.
He also admitted to transmitting child pornography and using social media sites to send indecent material to his victims.
Newcastle District Court heard Lazarus was referred to the Australian Federal Police in September last year after one of the girls confronted her school teacher on a separate social media platform.
Lazarus maintained the teacher's persona while sharing sexualised text and explicit images with that girl over two years.
'Collateral damage'
During a sentencing hearing today the court heard the shocked teacher called the police when the girl confronted him.
The teacher was then investigated.
His victim impact statement was tendered in court for the sentencing proceedings.
Commonwealth prosecutor Vasudha Sathanapally said the teacher Lazarus impersonated was also an indirect victim, in terms of identity theft.
But defence barrister William Hussey said the teacher was "more likely collateral damage and not a victim".
During today's hearing Lazarus was asked a series of questions by Mr Hussey about how he felt about his victims.
"I would like to express just how sorry I am to any of the victims who I hurt in any way," Lazarus said.
He paused, took a deep breath and held his head in his hands, apparently fighting back tears.
Lazarus was then asked about the damage he had done to the teacher whose persona he took on.
"You accept he has suffered significant mental health issues?" Mr Hussey said.
"Yes I do, absolutely," Lazarus replied.
"I am just so sorry for the damage that I have caused to his reputation and his mental health, financial loss, and I hope he is able to recover his position in society that I have damaged.
'Witness of proof'
Lazarus admitted to "a substantial degree of emotional manipulation" in order to obtain child pornography material from both his female victims.
In her closing address Ms Sathanapally said she accepted Lazarus had insight into his offending and that there was remorse.
In his closing remarks defence barrister William Hussey asked the judge to accept Lazarus's contrition.
"I would ask your honour to find that he is a witness of proof and his prospect of rehabilitation is good," Mr Hussey said.
Judge Chris O'Brien is due to hand down his judgement on March 4.
