Latest news with #KeithEshman
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Footy star learns his fate after being accused of sexually touching a child
A former NRL player and primary school teacher has been found not guilty of sexually touching a child under 10. Keith Eshman, 38, was acquitted by a jury at Wollongong District Court after a week-long trial. The jury returned its verdict on Friday after just under three hours of deliberation. The charge dated back to November 2022, when Eshman was working as a schoolteacher in the Illawarra region. The complainant, a young girl, alleged Eshman had made her touch him sexually. Eshman denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty from the outset. This was the second trial for the same charge, after a previous jury was unable to reach a verdict. The case was heard before Judge Imad Abdul-Karim and involved testimony from the girl's parents, school staff, police and Eshman himself. Crown prosecutor Nerissa Keay described the child as 'bright' and 'serious' when disclosing the allegation. She told the court the girl became 'distressed' when revealing what had allegedly happened. The Crown's case relied on a recording of the child's evidence, which was played in closed court. Judge Abdul-Karim reminded the jury not to focus on why the girl had been touching herself, but to consider whether the accused was guilty. He noted the complainant's evidence was delivered 'matter of fact' and in a way typical of a young child unfamiliar with sexual matters. He also addressed claims that Eshman had been the subject of touchy behaviour from the girl. Witnesses described her as being 'clingy' and 'touchy-feely' with the teacher. Eshman told the court he would acknowledge her and redirect the behaviour appropriately. Judge Abdul-Karim also referred to internet search history found on Eshman's devices. These included queries about child development, orgasm, and behaviour after abuse. The defence said Eshman made those searches to understand unusual student behaviour. The Crown argued the searches indicated a sexual interest in children. Eshman also kept a personal diary detailing concerns about the girl's conduct at school. The judge reminded the jury that Eshman had spoken with colleagues about the child's behaviour. During closing arguments, defence barrister Matthew Barnes urged jurors to apply common sense. He said the allegation was not supported by any physical evidence or corroboration. The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on the charge. The acquittal brings to an end a three-year legal ordeal for Eshman. He was arrested at the school following the allegation and has faced public scrutiny ever since. Eshman played one NRL game for the Wests Tigers in 2006 as a winger. He later moved into teaching after his short-lived professional rugby league career. Before joining the Tigers, he played junior footy for Quakers Hill Destroyers. He also attended Patrician Brothers' College in Blacktown. Outside of court, Eshman did not speak publicly after the verdict. The complainant, whose identity is legally protected, was not present when the verdict was read. No further charges have been laid.
ABC News
23-05-2025
- ABC News
Jury finds ex-teacher Keith Eshman not guilty of sexually touching girl
A former Illawarra schoolteacher and professional rugby league player has been found not guilty of forcing a young girl to touch him sexually. Keith William Eshman, who played one NRL game for Wests Tigers in 2016, faced trial in Wollongong District Court this week before Judge Imad Abdul-Karim and a jury. The 38-year-old pleaded not guilty to one count of intentionally sexually touching a child under the age of 10. Crown Prosecutor Nerissa Keay told the court the complainant, who cannot be identified, was a "bright young girl" who became "distressed" when she told her parents Mr Eshman "touches me". The incident, according to the Crown, was in November 2022 but defence barrister Matthew Barnes argued it never happened. The prosecutor's case relied on the jury accepting a recording of the girl's evidence, played in closed court. Before Friday's deliberation, Judge Abdul-Karim delivered a summary of evidence and witnesses statements. He told the jury the girl's parents had noticed their daughter touching herself and told her it was "nothing to be ashamed of" but to make a "pinky promise" to keep it private. "I urge the jury not to focus on why [the complainant] was touching herself, but if the accused is guilty," Judge Abdul-Karim said. The jury was also reminded that the complainant told her parents "sometimes [Mr Eshman] takes my hand and puts it on his private parts and rubs" after she was asked about publicly masturbating. "The complainant was in trouble with her mother for breaking the 'pinky promise' the night before." Judge Abdul-Karim did, however, echo the prosecution when describing the complainant's evidence, saying she spoke "quite matter of fact … and like a young girl who did not understand sexual matters". Judge Abdul-Karim reminded the jury of parts of Mr Eshman's recorded evidence that included him saying he noticed the girl was increasingly "clingy" towards him, but he would only acknowledge and "redirect" her. "Other teachers observed [the complainant] being touchy-feely with [Mr Eshman] and that he didn't like it," the judge said. He also reminded the jury of web pages and searches found on Mr Eshman's digital devices, including queries about the age girls could orgasm and child behaviour after abuse. "Mr Eshman kept a diary of his concerns about the girl's behaviour and spoke to colleagues," Judge Abdul-Karim told the court. "The defence says he searched online to learn more about child sexual behaviours. "The Crown says the only rational argument for these searches is that the accused had a sexual interest in children." It took the jury less than three hours to acquit Mr Eshman after four days of evidence and witnesses.
