Ex-teacher jailed for sexually abusing children he was babysitting

Kurt David Charlton pleaded guilty in August last year to sexual offences against children. (Supplied.)

Former WA teacher Kurt David Charlton has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for sexually abusing children while he was babysitting them.

Charlton, who had a valid police clearance and a Working with Children (WWC) card at the time, had pleaded guilty to 27 charges involving nine victims, who were all under the age of 13.

He will be eligible for parole after serving four-and-a-half years in jail.

A former West Australian teacher who sexually abused several children while he was minding them at their homes has been sentenced to more than six years in prison.

Kurt David Charlton, 29, touched the children and took indecent photos of his victims, who were all under the age of 13. The offences occurred in 2024 and 2025, mostly at the children's suburban Perth homes, a court heard.

Judge Martin Flynn said Charlton's babysitting services, which he conducted while working as a teacher, were motivated by sexual gratification.

The judge said parents of the children felt betrayed by Charlton's actions, and he referred to the victim impact statement of one father, who said there was likely to be a lifelong impact on his daughter.

Charlton had pleaded guilty to 27 charges involving nine victims, including indecent dealing with a child under 13, and indecently recording a child.

A artist's sketch of Charlton in court on Thursday. (Supplied: Anne Barnetson)

Sitting in the dock, the 29-year-old wept during the sentencing.

The court heard Charlton used force to manipulate the naked body of an 18-month-old girl so he could take photos which the judge described as "confronting".

The District Court also heard how Charlton had photos of naked and clothed children in his possession which focused on their groin areas.

Charlton pleaded guilty to sexually abusing the children. (Supplied)

He took photos when the children were using the toilet, and had images of his hand holding a child's underwear.

He also set up his phone so he could record himself and a victim in a pool, and at another home, he captured images of a boy and girl in their bathroom.

He had also taken photos of two children he was babysitting at a public toilet, and of a clothed girl at a school, focusing on her groin.

The court heard Charlton had referenced his qualifications, a police clearance and his Working with Children (WWC) card when seeking babysitting jobs.

He had advertised his services online, telling one parent he wanted to "have fun" with kids, and did not want to mind