William 'Rob' Gilfillan, a former physical education teacher already serving Australia's longest sentence for child sexual abuse offences against his daughter, has been sentenced to an additional seven-and-a-half years for 'brazen and forcible' sexual crimes against two schoolgirls in the 1980s.
Sentencing Details
In December, Gilfillan, 69, 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 occurred at Traralgon high school in Gippsland, Victoria. He appeared via video link from Barwon prison for sentencing before Chief Justice Amanda Chambers, repeatedly shaking his head as she detailed his crimes.
Chambers noted that Gilfillan denies his offending and has no prospect of rehabilitation. 'Teachers are entrusted by their schools and school communities in the performance of their role,' she said. 'This case highlights the profound and enduring harm caused where offending transgresses that foundational relationship of trust.'
Concurrent Sentence
Chambers acknowledged 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 means Gilfillan will not be eligible for parole until he is 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,' she said. 'It is more likely than not that you will die in custody.'
To avoid a 'wholly disproportionate sentence,' Chambers ordered the new sentence to be served concurrently with the NSW sentence. '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,' she added.
Nature of Offences
Chambers described the decision to offend against the two girls as a 'reasoned, albeit perverted one, engaged in for your own sexual gratification.' She highlighted the seriousness of the offending, particularly against one victim, TC, in the back of the school gym, which involved a 'brazen and forcible act of sexual penetration.' TC described Gilfillan thrusting his penis into her vagina, causing significant pain.
Another victim, 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,' the court heard.
Media Restrictions
Between 2016, when Gilfillan was convicted in NSW, and December 2025, the media was not allowed to name him because he was facing the Victorian charges before a jury. However, in 2023, extensive interviews with Gilfillan and his former wife Karen Gilfillan formed 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.
Support Services
In Australia, children, young adults, parents, and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831. 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.
