A Sydney teacher has faced court after being charged with online grooming after he was reported having explicit conversations with a fake account of a teenager on Grindr.

Council of the City of Sydney

William Golson, a 28-year-old former teacher at Knox Grammar, has been charged after allegedly engaging in explicit conversations with a fake profile on Grindr. The profile, controlled by teenagers, claimed to be a 15-year-old student, and prosecutors allege Golson expressed interest in sexual activity and exchanged photos. 

Golson's barrister argued that he was sceptical about the authenticity of the profile and did not intend to engage in unlawful activity. No physical sexual activity is alleged to have occurred. Golson is currently on bail with conditions restricting his contact with minors and proximity to the school. The court hearing is ongoing, with the teenagers who created the fake account expected to give evidence.

Sydney teacher accused of grooming teens through dating app

Dating a profile set up by teenagers is what allegedly ensnared William Golson. In August last year, the 28-year-old started talking to someone on Grindr, a person that in fact wasn't real with the profile puppeteered by the teens. Who did you think you were speaking to? Today prosecutors argued that within six minutes of messaging, the fake profile told Golson that he was very young in year 9 and 15 years old, while Golson allegedly wrote he was interested in kissing, sucking, and cuddling. Golson allegedly offered to travel for sex, and photos were exchanged within the chat. Knox was notified and police called, leading Golson to be charged. It is not alleged that any sexual activity took place. But today the teacher's barrister argued Golson was sceptical and suspected he was talking to a robot. He wasn't even sure he was dealing with a real person. His intention was never to have unlawful sexual activity with anybody. Golson no longer works at Knox Grammar. His current bail conditions are that he can't loiter near the school or be in contact with anyone under the age of 18. The hearing continues tomorrow. The teenagers behind the fake account will be called to give evidence. Samara Gardner, 10 News.

U.S. and Chinese officials concluded a first day of talks in Madrid on their strained trade ties, a looming divestiture deadline for Chinese short-video app TikTok, amid Washington's demands that its allies place tariffs on imports from China over its purchases of Russian oil.

Madrid

Global Tariffs

U.S., China begin trade talks in Spain as TikTok deadline looms

Police are searching for a motive in Wednesday's killing of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk. Authorities say interviews with family and friends of the 22-year-old suspect suggest he could have been radicalized in the dark corners of the internet.

Orem

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Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Israel for talks

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San Juan

U.S. sends jets to Puerto Rico amid escalating tensions with Venezuela

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Washington

Trump calls on NATO members to stop purchasing Russian oil

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

Marco Rubio visits Israel to push for Gaza ceasefire talks

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Warsaw

Ukraine Invasion

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Chicago

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London

Huge crowds march for right-wing "Unite the Kingdom" rally in London

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Suspect's family says he recently became more political

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Thousands in London march against immigration

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Kathmandu

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Culiacán

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The man accused of killing conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk is being held without bail in a Utah jail. Meanwhile, vigils and memorials across the country honored Kirk as his widow made her first public remarks since his death.

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect held without bail

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What we know about the Charlie Kirk shooting suspect's arrest

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New York

UN endorses two-state solution declaration that condemns Hamas

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Tunis

Gaza aid flotilla prepares to set sail after reported drone attacks

Brazil's Supreme Court has sentenced firebrand ex-president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for coup plotting at the end of a landmark trial that divided the nation and drew U.S. fury.

Brasilia

Brazil's ex-president Jair Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed an agreement to push ahead with a controversial settlement expansion plan that would cut across land that the Palestinians seek for a state. "There will never be a Palestinian state. This place is ours," Netanyahu said.

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Doha

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Fort Pierce

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Photos released of "person of interest" in Charlie Kirk assassination

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