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ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
Trial of former teacher Keith Bates-Willie, accused of child sexual abuse crimes, continues
A witness in the Supreme Court trial of a 71-year-old former Hobart teacher, accused of indecently touching numerous students, has broken down in court while giving evidence. WARNING: This story includes descriptions of alleged child sexual abuse, which some readers may find distressing. Keith Athol Bates-Willie has pleaded not guilty to 14 criminal charges, including rape, indecent assault and the persistent sexual abuse of a child at three separate Hobart schools between the late 1970s and the early 2000s. The former student at a high school in Tasmania's south, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court he first met Mr Bates in year 7 when he was his teacher. "I became a favoured student for Mr Bates … as I was very obedient, I was fearful of not doing what I was asked to do," he told the court. "He would often adjust my uniform, tuck me in, etc, under the guise of being presentable and doing the right thing, even though the fashion wasn't to have your shirt tucked in so it was just an invasion of my personal space." The witness was brought to tears while recalling several incidents he alleged occured while he was a student. He told the court there was a small cupboard-like storeroom where he alleged Mr Bates would often ask him to go into and find "the striped paint" — which he told the court later became an understood codeword for waiting in the storeroom. "I'd wait until he came in," he said. "He'd push his body into me, we were fully clothed, he'd push me against the wall and over time that became more and more inappropriate and more severe." The witness said over time, he was asked to take off his trousers and "touch his toes" while in the cupboard. Crown prosecutor Jack Shapiro asked the witness "are you able to recall a time when another boy was in there with you?", to which he replied, "I was told to touch my toes and I knew that meant I needed to drop my trousers… it was uncommon for another student to be there." He alleged "Mr Bates was masturbating … there'd be like a cloth rubbing sound." Mr Shapiro asked if his genitals had ever been touched by Mr Bates, to which he responded "yes". In her cross-examination, Mr Bates' lawyer, Jessie Sawyer, told the court the witness had made up the allegations and that the cupboard was too small for two people to be in. "That's an obscene thing to say, I was there, you weren't," the witness replied. Another former student gave evidence in the trial and alleged while he was a student at a Hobart school, he was sexually assaulted numerous times by Mr Bates and groomed for years. He alleged he was groped and molested by Mr Bates in the 1980s on at least three separate occasions — in a costume room, in a spa and while on holiday. Ms Sawyer suggested to him, he only come forward with the accusations to bolster the statements of his friends after hearing other students had come forward. He replied, "No, that's incorrect, that's absolutely ridiculous". The trial, before Justice Stephen Estcourt, is expected to run for two to three weeks.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
I'm a former teacher and these are the three gifts to avoid giving at the end of the year - and the one I kept my entire career
As the school year draws to a close, grateful parents across the country are scrambling to pick the perfect thank-you gift for their child's teacher. Many will gift flowers and chocolates to their children's class teacher as a thank you for their hard work - but certain gifts should be avoided, according to one former teacher. Damon Culbert, who worked in a primary school for years, told Femail small, meaningful gifts are the best way to go to make a teacher feel 'appreciated, and even encourage them to stay another year'. 'My favourite gift wasn't expensive; it was a short video from one of my pupils saying thank you. I still have it today,' Damon, who According to him, the best gifts are personal. A heartfelt note or a small item that shows the teacher was really seen can make a big impact. 'A personalised gift from the whole class could cost as little as 30p per parent, and it's something the teacher will treasure forever.' Despite good intentions, some gifts miss the mark - including alcohol. 'While it might seem like a safe, grown-up gift, alcohol can actually be a bit of a gamble,' he said. 'Not every teacher drinks, and with the rise of sober-curiosity, many are cutting back or avoiding it altogether. 'Unless you know for sure that your child's teacher enjoys a particular drink (and you've seen them enjoy it), it's probably best to steer clear. 'For some, it can feel a bit inappropriate, especially in a professional setting. 'More often than not, bottles end up re-gifted or collecting dust in a cupboard. A thoughtful alternative will always go down better.' He added that food gifts can also be risky. 'Between allergies, dietary preferences, and the sheer volume of sweet treats teachers receive at the end of term, a food gift will often go uneaten. 'Unless your child knows a teacher's favourite snack or brand, it's unlikely to land in a meaningful way. 'It's not that we don't appreciate the gesture, but a personal touch will always stand out more than a generic box of chocolates. 'Something like a cookbook or a jar of homemade jam can feel far more thoughtful.' Finally, children should avoid gifting any expensive brands. 'I completely understand that parents want to show how much they appreciate their child's teacher, but expensive items from luxury brands can sometimes have the opposite effect,' Damon said. 'They can make teachers feel awkward, or even guilty, especially if they know other families may be struggling financially. 'A gift that costs a tenth of the price but shows genuine thought or a personal connection will have ten times the impact. 'Gifts like a class-made memory jar or a framed thank-you note are far more meaningful and far more likely to be kept.'
