Former teacher Leonard Gardiner jailed for abusing students at The Armidale School

A former teacher has been jailed for the abuse of two students at a prestigious northern NSW boarding school in the 1960s. Judge Leonie Flannery sentenced Gardiner to 13-and-a-half years in prison, with a non-parole period of eight-and-a-half years, in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court today. Judge Flannery acknowledged defence counsel Philip Boulten's submissions but agreed with the Crown prosecutor Peter Lowe that the victim gave "convincing evidence about the foundational facts" of the abuse. The Crown prosecutor said Gardiner abused his position of power over his "vulnerable" victims in sexual acts that took place mostly in Gardiner's lodgings, as well as the student dormitory. "Despite Mr Gardiner's lack of remorse, I agree with Mr Boulten … he is unlikely to reoffend," Judge Flannery said.