School principal 'in love' with student

A former school principal has told a judge he thought he was in love with a 16-year-old student he had sex with at his home on five occasions.

But the victim's mother rejected his claim: "Perhaps he needs to have a lesson in what love is ... I find that a real joke".

Frank Bailey, 44, the ex-principal of a Christian school at Grafton in northern NSW, has pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old under his care over four days in 2007.

During his cross-examination in the NSW District Court in Sydney on Thursday, Bailey cried and shook uncontrollably as he expressed his remorse.

After Judge John North adjourned his sentencing to November 20, Bailey - who is in custody - was expected to appear in nearby Central Local Court on another matter.

However, when Corrective Services officers did not present Bailey to that court, Magistrate Allan Moore put the matter over until Friday.

Speaking outside court after the sentencing hearing, the victim's mother said her daughter - neither of whom can be named for legal reasons - was "pretty stressed out and pretty teary, but she knows we are getting to the end of our case".

Earlier, under questioning from prosecutor Kara Shead, Bailey admitted knowing it was "absolutely and utterly wrong" to have a sexual relationship with a student.

"Every day I just think about what I did and I feel sick," he said.

At the time of the offences, he thought he was in love with the victim and that she loved him, he said.

Ms Shead noted that when Bailey saw a psychiatrist he had denied having feelings of romantic love for the teenager.

"My wife, she really showed me how much she loved me by staying with me," he said.

"When (the psychiatrist) asked me that, I didn't want her to feel I did not love her.

"And I knew the feelings I felt towards (the victim) that I believed were love probably weren't."

He said he had mental issues, was lonely and was drinking heavily at the time, describing himself as being "like a zombie".

Bailey agreed he had trained other teachers about appropriate relationships with students and was fully aware of acceptable boundaries.

He still cared for the teenager and did not want her to think he had used her.

On his return to the dock, he sat rocking with his face in his arms as his barrister, Dr Bob Webb, submitted Bailey was a candidate for being placed on parole.

He said Bailey had shown "the deepest contrition and remorse", was depressed at the time and had spent 18 months in the "most onerous custody" possible.

The court has been told Bailey has made multiple attempts at self-harm and now spends 23 hours a day in his underpants in a small room with only a bed and a toilet.

He is under 24-hour surveillance and has not been allowed clothing, a blanket or any privileges due to his risk of suicide.

Ms Shead said the maximum penalty was eight years jail and submitted Bailey's offending was "at the upper end of seriousness".

"The community demands that a position held by this man and the crime he committed in that position must mean a very substantial period of imprisonment is imposed ...," she said.

"The crown submits the overriding consideration is general deterrence."