NSW art teacher on child sex abuse charges

An elderly private art teacher has been charged with sexually abusing a student in Sydney, the first attack allegedly occurring when she was six years old.

Frederick Brian Jones, 83, repeatedly sexually abused the girl - who was one of his students - inside his home art studio over a five-year period starting in 2013, police allege.

The girl was aged between six and 11 during the assaults.

The art teacher was arrested at his southern Sydney home on Wednesday morning and charged with 10 offences including having sex with a child under 10.

The matter was briefly mentioned at Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday where Jones was refused bail.

He is due to appear at the same court on April 6.