NSW: Govt to appeal again against teen affair teacher's compo

AAP General News (Australia)
12-21-2004
NSW: Govt to appeal again against teen affair teacher's compo

The New South Wales government will launch a second appeal to try to stop a teacher
who had a relationship with a 15-year-old student from keeping a worker's compensation
payout.

Fifty-three-year-old JEFF SINCLAIR was sacked from his position as head of English
at Baulkham Hills High School in Sydney last year after he had a relationship with student
NICKI SHACKLE.

Mr SINCLAIR, who has three children, says the relationship did not become sexual until
NICKI turned 16.

Workers Compensation Commission President Justice TERRY SHEAHAN has rejected an appeal
from the government against a $28,000 payout Mr SINCLAIR received for psychological injury
during an investigation into the relationship.

Education Minister ANDREW REFSHAUGE says the government will appeal the decision in
the New South Wales Court of Appeal.

He says the government may also consider changes to the law as a result of the judgment,
but any legislative changes won't affect Mr SINCLAIR's case.

AAP RTV pj/nf/wjf/ved/psm/


KEYWORD: SINCLAIR (SYDNEY)

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