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Sydney deputy principal blames teen sex chats on alcohol

A Sydney deputy principal seeking “sexy play” from teenagers says he was drunk while chatting with an undercover officer he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.

Damian Scott Wanstall, 49, has pleaded guilty to one count of using a carriage service to procure a child under 16 for sexual activity.

The Faulconbridge man was sprung by undercover police after posting an online classified advertisement on Locanto under the heading “Any legal Indian or Filo teens want fun”.

Engaging with an undercover officer claiming to be a 14-year-old girl, Wanstall offered to pay for a “few hours of fun” and was arrested with $200 at a meet-up in Westmead in December 2020.

In Parramatta District Court on Wednesday, crown prosecutor Sheridan Goodwin revealed the Kellyville High School deputy principal had told his psychiatrist he was “intoxicated” when he made some of the chats.

Given the time-stamps of the chats were between 9am and 3pm, this explanation was “unlikely”, Ms Goodwin said.

Wanstall made the guilty plea in September last year after an additional charge of using a carriage service to procure child abuse material was dropped.

His online ad read, “Aussie daddy seeking sexy play this weekend. Will reward. Can host discreetly Rouse Hill.”

While initially responding “maybe a bit too young” when the undercover officer said he was 14, Wanstall allegedly continued to engage, offering money and arranging the meet-up where he was eventually arrested.

A sentence hearing will take place on April 5.

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