Oshawa Teachers cleared in sex assault

Canadian Crime News, National: Sex Offences/Offenders A teen girl wept tears of disappointment after two Oshawa school teachers -- including one whose husband sexually assaulted her -- had their charges of failing to report the abuse dismissed yesterday in a Scarborough courtroom. The two teachers at Adelaide McLaughlin Public School, Leslie Welsh, 32, and Kristen Connell, 37, became the girl's friends after she graduated from that school in 2004. But the overnight stay turned into an unforgettable nightmare for "Jenny." Jenny -- whose real name and identity are covered by a publication ban -- was sexually violated by Welsh's husband, Robert, while she was sleeping beside Leslie Welsh in the hotel room on Aug. 21, 2005, court heard. Robert Welsh was convicted of sexually assaulting the teen and was sentenced last November to 90 days to be served on weekends and two years probation. He is appealing the conviction. Welsh fondled her breasts, digitally penetrated her with three fingers, forced her to rub his penis and attempted to push Jenny's face towards it, court heard.

[Jane Doe]

Before you write such harsh comments about the people involved you may want to do some research into "Jenny", the girl involved in these "ACCUSATIONS".
Do you not have questions about the fact that the teachers were RELEASED and cleared of her first allegations? That must say something about this girls "Story's" Credibility. This girl has no evidence and these poor people she is accusing lives are ruined b/c of her.

I have said my peace.

[Anonymous]

I agree whole heartedly with Jane Doe. I think it's disgusting that you would write such harsh comments about these people. These teachers were released of all charges because of the lack of evidence, and this girls credibility. Also, Robert Welsh is appealing the conviction.

Keep in mind things are not always as they may seem, and there are always 2 sides to every story. Also, regardless of who is innocent or guilty these people all have families, and or children that these comments hurt! You really should be ashamed for printing such a one sided, explicite story. A generaly outline would have sufficed.

[Disgusted]

The FACT is that Rob Welsh was convicted and in being so is considered guilty, filing an appeal does not mean he is innocent. The charges were in fact dropped with the 2 teachers but not due to lack of evidence but rather because the Justice of the Peace decided that they were not responsible to report the abuse because it did not occur during the 194 days of teaching. This too is in appeals.

[Shadow]

When someone is convicted that means they are guilty.
Rob Welsh is guilty of sexual assault, the assault which is outlined in this article, regardless of what was determined in the College of Teachers hearing. They were completely different trials.
As for Jane Doe, you are incorrectly using the term ACCUSATIONS as Rob Welsh was convicted in a court of law. I feel sorry for your lack of knowledge, as well as your lack of compassion.

[Anonymous]

From what I understand, Rob Welsh is appealing the ruling. Has a ruling been made? I'd hate to see someone unjustly charged. Everything seems to be circumstantial.The one thing I don't understand is why on earth the parents of this young girl would let her spend the night in a hotel with her teacher, and her husband? Perhaps the girls mother should also be questioned on her parenting skills....

[anonymous]

So does anyone know what is now happening in this case? Has Rob Welsh had to go back to court yet, and has he been found guilty again?
I just find this whole story hard to believe. I don't doubt that something happened between Rob and this girl, but something still doesn't add up for me. I'm hoping that the courts will be able to determine if he's guilty or not once and for all.

[Bridget]

This whole story is such an abuse of the legal system. The psychotic teen girl, does have parents, who created this daughter, and they are the reason she has such major issues. Leslie, the teacher, took the girl under wing to help keep her our of trouble. Leslie gave the girl a job, and mentored her.
Rob Walsh IS innocent. As far as mis-use of legal term, "accusation" it was not used incorrectly. A court of law can easily make the wrong determination based on false accusations.

[concerned citizen]

Shadow wrote:

When someone is convicted that means they are guilty.
Rob Welsh is guilty of sexual assault, the assault which is outlined in this article, regardless of what was determined in the College of Teachers hearing. They were completely different trials.
As for Jane Doe, you are incorrectly using the term ACCUSATIONS as Rob Welsh was convicted in a court of law. I feel sorry for your lack of knowledge, as well as your lack of compassion.

Lets clarify.

1. This seems to be an ever growing issue. Chicks accusing guys of shit and the guy gets screwed even though nothing happened or anything that did happen was consentual.

2. A "finding of guilt" which is all the courts can do, is not the same thing as moraly guilty. The later being something that can only occur if the person actually did do something, and the only ones who would truly know that is the people who were directly involved with the setup/incident.

3. Again, a "conviction" only means that the system allegedly has enough information (or in these days, bullshit as evidence is generally dismissed if it proves innocence, accused being denied a lawyer, etc etc) for a "finding of guilt". After the "finding of guilt", the conviction is laid, and then sentencing is imposed.

4. If this person did do what they were accused, had a "finding of guilt" of, and were convicted, then I have to say that all involved most definitely should suffer the same penalties....

5. WTF is wrong with our FCKING system that thinks a sexual assault on many fronts by many people who are allegedly people in positions of power/trust, only getting 90 fucking days ?... seriously... whoever handed that sentence out should be right in there with them... and letting the chicks go cuz they are female ?... this system makes me wanna vomit!!!

[Disgusted]

Bridget wrote:

This whole story is such an abuse of the legal system. The psychotic teen girl, does have parents, who created this daughter, and they are the reason she has such major issues. Leslie, the teacher, took the girl under wing to help keep her our of trouble. Leslie gave the girl a job, and mentored her.
Rob Walsh IS innocent. As far as mis-use of legal term, "accusation" it was not used incorrectly. A court of law can easily make the wrong
determination based on false accusations.

You are nuts!!! The teen is definitely not psychotic, did not need to be kept out of trouble (she was a model student) and did not need to be mentored. Nor did she work for Leslie. As someone who witnessed their interactions I can assure you that you are being grossly mislead. I understand you are in California so your knowledge is hear/say, obviously on the part of the abuser and his frightened, subordinate wife. I don't know why any teen would waste 2+ years of their life to try to convict an innocent person. What would her motive be? I too wondered about the parents and after asking the teen and her parents directly I can assure you the answers are justified. There are girls who can not trust their uncles, grandpas, step-fathers or even dads, and Rob and Leslie's words are truth??? Come on, wake up. Wait till you have kids of your own, especially a daughter.

[Terminator]

"The one thing I don't understand is why on earth the parents of this young girl would let her spend the night in a hotel with her teacher, and her husband? Perhaps the girls mother should also be questioned on her parenting skills...."

A parent's love is unconditional and that is the love this girl was given. The world we live in today has allowed almost no one to trust anyone outside of their home. The parent's now realize that there are many unworthy, troubled and disgusting people in this world that cannot be trusted no even by their own "beloved wives". It is unfortunate that people cannot go out in public or rely on friends anymore because of the terrible acts people commit.

It isn't about winning or losing in this case. Its about who can overcome it and live with themselves at the end of the day.

[Disgusted]

Please know that the husband was not supposed to be there, the parents nor the girls had any idea he was to stay over night.

[man]

I know Rob He is a creep deffinitly capable of this perverted act!

[man]

The Scary part is that he is still working with young children in Oshawa minor Hockey, are they nuts?

[Disgusted]

man wrote:

I know Rob He is a creep deffinitly capable of this perverted act!

You're right. And he's definitely capable of manipulating and controlling his wife and "winning over" and "buying" people like Kristen. A trip to NYC can go a long way.

[hockey mom]

Don't kid yourselfs, Leslie Welsh knew what Rob was up to and was pretending to be asleep while watching her husband Rob, fondle and abuse the young girl.She is just as bad and perverted as Rob for for letting this occur!

[Disgusted]

hockey mom wrote:

Don't kid yourselfs, Leslie Welsh knew what Rob was up to and was pretending to be asleep while watching her husband Rob, fondle and abuse the young girl.She is just as bad and perverted as Rob for for letting this occur!

You are right too. That's what I mean by him being able to manipulate her. Who in their right mind whould "participate" without intervening? He has some kind of sick control over her and she has no desire to escape it.

[What The Heck]

you guys are on here judging what you THINK happened. You people are f**kd.
Go get a life. You people no have no idea why we live in a world full of ignorance...well look at yourselves, thats what ignorance is.

[Disgusted]

some of us know more than others and either way, there was a huge misjustice that occured. As a teacher I am appallad that it was not reported, ans that has nothing to do with ignorance. Maybe if some of you had daughters or had been abused as a child you would be more sympathtic. Whatever happened "exactly" is not the issue. As I stated earlier, the FACTS are that Rob was CONVICTED!!! AND, both teachers knew that something happened and failed to report it. Again, they were let off, not because the justice of the peace thought they were innocent of not reporting but because he stated the assult did not happen during the school year. When I became a teacher, it was not only for 10 months a year. I am a teacher everyday and will be long into my reirement years, that is the life (not just the profession) I chose. I will forever be the adult to students and children and know and respect the boundaries that exist there. I am always on "good behviour" as I know that one of my charges, either past or present may be just around the corner. I dedicated my life (as most teachers do) to protecting and guiding the lives of students.

[concerned]

does anyone know if the courts have put any restricitions on Rob being around children?

[Disgusted]

They had during the trial and as part of his sentence. He could not be alone with children (not sure of the age) unless there was another adult present. Ironically, his wife counted as and adulted and therefore had to attend all the hockey games he reffed. I believe the conditions are still in place. He has, however, been granted the appeal (which is being appealed).