One of Australia’s most renowned art dealers has pleaded guilty to a total of 13 charges including indecent assault, gross indecency, sexual penetration of a child, and possession of child pornography.

John Buckley, a former director of the Australian Center for Contemporary Art (ACCA), Melbourne, admitted sexually abusing six young boys between the ages of 10 to 13 over thirty years ago between 1980 to 1983 when he was working as a teacher at Geelong Grammar’s Glamorgan primary school in Melbourne.

The Age reported that state prosecutor Peter Kidd told the court that the crimes were committed in Buckley’s living quarters within a school boarding house.

The abuse took place at Geelong Grammar School, Melbourne.
Photo: via Herald Sun.

The court heard how Buckley used his position of influence and power to prey on vulnerable young boys. The former teacher would lure the young boys with card games and cakes.

Following his arrest the art dealer vehemently denied the accusations. However, his denials were undermined when during a raid of his home the same day as his arrest police found 96 images of child pornography—some taken at Glamorgan School.

He was further implicated by damning testimonies from some of his victims.

The confession of the former art dealer and museum director rocked the Australian art scene.
Photo: via andrewcurtis.co.au.

The presiding Judge Jane Patrick said that she couldn’t understand how the former teacher did not realize that what he was doing to the children was wrong.

The court has been adjourned until Buckley’s sentencing, which will happen at a later date.