A former teacher, Kellie Ann-Marie Whiteside, manipulated and sexually abused a pre-teen by instructing them to watch pornography to gain knowledge about sex before engaging in inappropriate acts with the victim. The court revealed that Whiteside developed a “relationship” with a 12-year-old through Instagram, progressing to exchanging intimate messages using secret passcodes, ultimately leading to a sexual relationship by the time the child turned 13. The victim expressed feeling hopeless and worthless due to Whiteside’s actions during the court proceedings.
Reports from News.com.au detailed how Whiteside’s involvement with the child escalated, with her admitting feelings of loneliness when not in contact with the victim. Initially facing 30 charges related to the offenses, Whiteside pleaded guilty to repeated sexual conduct with a child. The remaining charges were dropped by the prosecution. The victim, who identifies as non-binary, disclosed the emotional trauma caused by Whiteside, highlighting how they were influenced to associate sexual acts with love.
The victim’s family, testifying in court, referred to Whiteside as a selfish and manipulative individual, labeling her as a representation of predatory educators. They expressed regret for not protecting their child from the teacher’s advances. Crown prosecutor Cameron Wilkins revealed that Whiteside had urged the victim to keep their Instagram exchanges a secret, leading to an increasingly intimate relationship over time.
Whiteside confessed to being dissatisfied with her marriage and sex life, sharing details of her personal struggles with the child. The teacher even advised the victim to watch pornography to understand sexual behaviors better. Charges against Whiteside included incidents of kissing and sexual assault over a three-year span, occurring in various locations like public restrooms, restaurants, hotel rooms, and homes.
Despite initial concerns raised by the victim in 2015, the relationship endured for eight years until 2023, with a formal complaint not being filed until later. Whiteside, showing remorse and undergoing therapy post-relationship, was sentenced to five years in prison by District Court chief Judge Brian Devereaux, with a chance of parole in March 2027. She is prohibited from working in the education sector again. Judge Devereaux condemned Whiteside for the egregious breach of trust she committed against the child.