Female teacher admits ongoing sex abuse of child

A young person, who now identifies as non-binary, has told a judge they were groomed by their teacher as a 12-year-old girl for ongoing sexual abuse, leaving them a “damaged person”.

Kellie Ann-Marie Whiteside, 44, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Brisbane District Court to one count of repeated sexual conduct with a child.

Crown prosecutor Cameron Wilkins discontinued 29 charges of indecent treatment of a child under 16 against Whiteside.

A judge said Kellie Ann-Marie Whiteside “took advantage of a young child at a difficult time in her life”.Credit: Louie Douvis

Chief Judge Brian Devereaux heard Whiteside was working as a science teacher in a school south of Brisbane when she turned a friendship with the victim into sexual abuse.

Wilkins said Whiteside swapped Snapchat messages and intimate images via Instagram with the victim, and discussed frustrations about her marital sex life.

“The relationship turned sexual in March 2015. At this time, the complainant was still 12 years of age, but was soon to turn 13,” Wilkins said.

“That relationship ultimately continued past the [victim’s] 16th birthday and until it ended in March 2023, when [the victim] was 20 years of age.”

Whiteside kissed the young person on school grounds, and this led to sex acts committed in soccer club toilets, car parks, and in hotels.

Wilkins said Whiteside gave the victim alcohol and demanded their text message exchanges remain secret.

The victim read their impact statement to Devereaux and said they now found it difficult to form meaningful relationships.

“It is common for me to have panic attacks due to my overwhelming anxiety and fear [that] I will always be a damaged person with a warped mindset.”

The victim said their parents now felt guilty, as if they had failed to protect them.

“I was taught about stranger danger ... I was not prepared for a predator to be an adult who was in a position of power ... who was a woman,” they said.

“My parents trusted her. I trusted her, too.”

The victim’s mother said major milestone events in her child’s life were now “tainted” as Whiteside had been involved.

“We were robbed of the joy of watching our child grow up without fear, in a place we thought was safe,” she said.

Defence barrister James McNab said Whiteside had been suffering from post-natal depression and difficulties in her marriage at the time of the offending.

“She has now lost her job as a teacher and will never work in the profession again,” McNab said.

He said Whiteside made extensive admissions when questioned by police and had attended rehabilitation counselling.

Devereaux told Whiteside she had committed an outrageous breach of the trust put in her as a teacher and had caused terrible consequences for the victim and their family.

“You took advantage of a young child at a difficult time in her life,” he said.

“I accept [the psychologist’s] opinion that you are not highly likely to offend in this way again.”

Whiteside was sentenced to five years’ jail and will be eligible to apply for parole in March 2027.

If you or someone you know needs help, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028.