Christopher Frangos, a former school teacher from Northern Rivers, has avoided a full jail sentence after pleading guilty to sending explicit videos, photos, and messages to a police officer he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.
Frangos, 37, who previously taught at Alstonville and Wyrallah Road Public Schools, appeared in Lismore District Court on Monday, April 7, surrounded by family.
According to The Daily Telegraph, he pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to procure a child for sexual activity in August 2023, with his sentencing delayed due to legal issues.
During the hearing, Crown prosecutor Vanessa Barros Goncalves suggested that Frangos understood his actions would end his teaching career.
She also pointed out that the attention he received from the child gave him a sense of self-worth during a period of personal and financial struggles.
Frangos admitted to sending explicit content to the child, acknowledging the seriousness of his actions and attributing them to his “psychological state.”
The court heard Frangos communicated with the officer using usernames “discordteacher” and “joshBruce,” knowing the individual was posing as a 14-year-old girl. He continued the exchange despite being aware of her age.
Judge Craig Smith, while expressing concern over the actions, acknowledged Frangos’ remorse and ongoing engagement with treatment.
The judge also considered Frangos’ loss of his teaching career as a significant form of punishment.
Frangos was sentenced to 20 months in jail, which was suspended, and permitted his release on a $100 Commonwealth recognisance.
Source: Daily Telegraph.
