Teacher to stand trial
The CEO of Cricket Australia has been left speechless over a ruthless grilling by a radio host over the sporting body’s decision to ban the words “Australia Day” during Friday’s Test match.
The organisation came under fire this week after it was announced there would be no references made to the national holiday during the Gabba Test between Australia and the West Indies on Friday in Brisbane.
It triggered an emotional response from cricket stars, fans and politicians alike, including NSW Premier Chris Minns,
A high school teacher alleged to have groomed a 15-year-old has been committed to stand trial.
Chelsea Jane Edwards, 29, was a sports coordinator at Indooroopilly State High School and living on the Gold Coast at the time, in 2022.
Ms Edwards, who was not required to enter a plea, was committed in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday to face the Brisbane District Court at a date to be set.
She faced two counts of grooming a child, relating to the boy who was 15 at the time of the alleged offending.
A third charge of indecent who described it as a “strange” decision.
Speaking on 2GB radio on Tuesday, Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley (pictured) fronted questions from host Ben Fordham about the backlash.
Fordham repeatedly grilled the cricket boss before saying “it’s like saying you want people to celebrate Christmas but they can’t mention Santa Claus”.
An uncomfortable moment of silence followed, with only the sound of Mr Hockley’s laboured treatment was dropped due to dispute over the time a photo was taken.
Edwards’ lawyer Alex Somers, of Nyst Legal, said there was no procurement or enticement, according to the boy’s statement to police.
“After his 16th birthday a personal friendship developed,” he said.
“In the boy’s statement, a month after he turned 16 a conversation occurred … about his feelings for her.”
He said the statement went on to claim the boy told Ms Edwards that he found her attractive, but that she appeared hesitant.
“It progressed to kissing breathing audible over the airwaves.
“Are you there Nick?” Fordham asked.
“I think I’ve explained our position,” Mr Hockley said.
He said the organisation was not “boycotting” the national holiday but wanted to be “mindful” that the day meant different things to people.
Mr Hockley said the organisation consulted extensively with its Indigenous advisory board, as well as Indigenous players both male and female, before coming to the decision to remove “Australia Day” from its communications.
“It is a difficult day for them,” he said.
Jane Edwards’ lawyer
later, which he initiated,” Mr Somers said.
He told the court that a sexual relationship began in about October and November of 2022.
“He disagrees that the defendant has been predatory at any time and denies he was taken advantage of,” Mr Somers said.
Mr Somers said there was no evidence his client took steps to take advantage of the boy and no properly instructed jury could convict Ms Edwards of grooming.
However, Crown Prosecutor Hannah Mangione told the court an email Ms Edwards sent to herself indicated her state of mind at the time.
The email, sent before the boy had turned 16, described how fond she was of him.
“All the acts after are done through the lens (of Ms Edwards
wanting she said.
Under Queensland law grooming does not have to involve physical contact or actual indecent treatment of a minor before they turn 16.
It merely has to be an action or acts intended to facilitate that, even if the actual physical contact happens months or years in the future after a child has turned 16.
Magistrate Ross Mack said there was sufficient evidence to commit Ms Edwards to trial. He committed her to the Brisbane District Court at a date to be fixed. He enlarged her bail and banned her from contact with the boy or his family.
arelationship),”