Illawarra primary school teacher and former NRL player Keith Eshman stands trial for rape charges
A primary school teacher – who played one game in the NRL as a teenager – allegedly sexually violated a young girl multiple times and told her to keep it a “secret”, a court has heard.
Illawarra Star
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A primary school teacher – who played one game in the NRL as a teenager – allegedly sexually violated a girl multiple times and told her to keep it a “secret”, a court has heard.
The allegations were aired on Monday during the Crown’s opening submissions in the trial of Keith William Eshman, 37, at Wollongong District Court.
Eshman, who played one game for the Wests Tigers in 2006, previously pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10 and two counts of sexually touching a child under 10.
Crown prosecutor Nerissa Keay told the court the alleged misconduct came to light after the complainant told her parents Eshman told her to keep a “secret”.
The court heard after further inquiry from her parents, the girl said Eshman “touches me”.
The girl disclosed Eshman allegedly touched the inside and outside of her underwear as well as grabbing her hand and placing it on his crotch.
The court heard the matter was reported to police and during an interview with police the girl allegedly said Eshman grabbed her hand and placed it close to his penis and rubbed on the outside of his shorts.
“Sometimes it feels nice for me too,” Eshman allegedly said.
Police arrested Eshman the next day after which the court heard the girl told her mother about “another secret” where Eshman allegedly put his fingers inside her vagina.
A week later, the girl told her mother Eshman allegedly “licked her privates” with the details of the incident then disclosed to police.
The court heard the complainant was allegedly told by Eshman to lay on a pillow before he went on his hands and knees and licked inside her vagina.
“Does this feel good,” he allegedly said, with the girl saying yes as she did not want to make him angry.
The court heard after police arrested Eshman they seized his iPhone and MacBook. A data download of his devices allegedly uncovered a string of searches including inquiries about whether young girls can orgasm and the definition of pedophilia.
The defence in its brief opening remarks told the jury to “reserve your judgment”.
“The accused denies these incidents took place,” barrister Brendan Green said.
The trial before Judge Sharon Harris is listed for two weeks.
Got a court tip? Email dylan.arvela@news.com.au
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