Children’s author’s husband escapes jail for underage sex

The husband of Australian children’s author Mem Fox escaped jail yesterday after being convicted of having sex with an underage male student.

Malcolm Fox, 67, was found guilty last month of four counts of unlawful sexual intercourse in 1984 with the then 17-year-old boy, at a time when his wife was celebrating the worldwide success of her book Possum Magic.

His trial heard that Mr Fox, who was a teacher, and the boy had oral sex when the boy had turned to him for help after being sexually abused.

Mr Fox, who continues to deny the affair and has appealed his conviction, said their only sexual contacts were two unwelcome advances from the boy.

In sentencing, Justice Gordon Barrett said the offences were serious breaches of trust but he weighed them against the “long and meritorious” career of Mr Fox in public service.

He sentenced him to four years in prison with a two-year non-parole period, but suspended the sentence and put Mr Fox on a three-year good behaviour bond.

The age of consent in the state of South Australia for sex with a person in authority, such as a teacher, is 18.