Australian women's indoor hockey coach admits to kissing teenage girl

The Age

4 days ago

Australian women's indoor hockey coach Lauren Austin has pleaded guilty to the indecent assault of a child under her care, while two other more serious charges she was facing have been discontinued.
Austin, 39, was arrested in March last year and charged with indecently dealing with a child over 16 under care/authority, sexual penetration of a child over 16 under their authority, and sexual penetration without consent. All the charges relate to one girl and occurred in Perth.
On Wednesday, she appeared in Perth Magistrates Court and wiped away tears as she pleaded guilty to four of the indecent dealing charges, which the magistrate stated were in relation to kissing the girl. The two sexual penetration charges were dropped.
Austin was granted bail under the condition she not engage with community activities involving supervising children, including as a sports coach at any level.
As a result of those conditions she was stood down from her coaching role.
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'The alleged offences occurred on several different dates, at locations in the Perth metropolitan area, including when the female victim was both an adult and a juvenile,' a WA Police spokesman said.
'At the time of the alleged offences the woman held a coaching position with a national sporting team.'
Hockey Australia released a statement saying it was aware that a matter had been reported to the authorities and was currently subject to investigation and legal proceedings.