He ruled the prestigious Sydney school Knox Grammar with an iron fist and students nicknamed him The Snake because of it . But a former Knox pupil told Daily Mail Australia one-time headmaster Dr Ian Paterson lived up to that reputation by 'slithering away ' while providing evidence at the Royal Commission into Child Sex Abuse on Tuesday . Dr Paterson , the school 's headmaster from 1969 to 1998 , began the proceedings by reading out a statement apologising to students for what had occurred , accepting responsibility for 'all that occurs during my headmastership ' . Further remarks provoked a loud groan from former students , relatives and support personnel watching on when he described an alleged sexual assault victim as a 'drama boy who liked to exaggerate stories ' . Scroll down for video . Fronting up : Dr Ian Paterson is pictured after giving evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse . Dr Paterson began today 's hearing by apologising for what had occurred under his headmastership . Christopher Fotis , pictured , has vanished following allegations that arose at the child sex abuse inquiry . The 15-year-old victim , known as ASD , had approached Dr Paterson in 1987 to report that teacher and resident housemaster Damien Vance had touched his bottom and made an 'inappropriate sexual suggestion ' under the school chapel , the commission heard . ' I 'm not aware it was a crime , ' the former headmaster told the commission , as he confirmed he had asked the boy to sit in the library while he attempted to investigate the story by questioning Mr Vance . Dr Paterson did not contact the police . 'In light of today , ( it is ) an extremely serious matter . ' On several occasions , a frustrated Dr Paterson , 81 , said he did not recall specific details - including what concerns he had about teacher Roger James ' relationship with young men . The commission 's inquiry into Knox Grammar continues . At Knox years ago , Dr Pateron was an all-powerful figure , according to former students . 'He was the power in the land , ' Knox old boy and author Peter FitzSimons told Daily Mail Australia outside the hearing today . 'He was the Parliament and the King . ' ' I 'm not aware it was a crime ' , Dr Paterson told the inquiry in Sydney today . More than five teachers have been convicted with child sex abuse offences at the school . Former students : Peter FitzSimons ( pictured left , outside the royal commission today ) , actor Hugh Jackman . But Mr FitzSimons said that while Dr Paterson appeared to be 'running a tight ship ' to his unaware students , many were unaware of the 'carnage below the decks ' . He ruled the prestigious Sydney school Knox Grammar with an iron fist and students nicknamed him The Snake because of it . But in the words of a former Knox pupil , one-time headmaster Dr Ian Paterson lived up to that reputation by 'slithering away ' from tough questions while providing evidence . The American-educated Dr Paterson 's testimony drew considerable interest from former students , after allegations his school had a 'cover-up culture ' . Former senior prefect at the school and radio broadcaster Gus Worland told Daily Mail Australia last week : 'We all respected Dr P so much and were scared of him , ' said Worland . A former Knox Grammar student onlooker , who attended between 1987 and 1991 , was unimpressed by his former headmaster 's testimony , which lasted for most of six hours today . ‘ I just have to say , his nickname at school was The Snake , ' said the student , who did not wish to be named for fear of offending a friend and a relative . 'That ’ s true then and that ’ s true today . ' 'He ’ s slithering his way out of this mess his teachers ’ made and he ’ s covered it up . ' Dr Paterson ran the school with an iron fist . 'He was the power in the land , ' former student Peter FitzSimons said . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article .
Dr Ian Paterson was today grilled by the royal commission over his actions in dealing with teachers accused of abuse allegations . The former Knox headmaster ran the school from 1969 to 1998 and was known as The Snake for his autocratic style . 'He was the power in the land , ' said former student Peter FitzSimons during a break in the hearing today . Dr Peterson began proceedings today by apologising for what had happened when the school was his 'responsibility ' Another former student said : 'His nickname at school was the Snake ... that 's true then and its true today '