Former Australian cricket captain Tim Paine responds to woman’s sexual harassment allegations by saying SHE also texted him ‘very’ explicit
- Ex-skipper allegedly sent Renee Ferguson an ‘unsolicited’ photo of her genitals
- Tim Paine resigned as cricket captain after the texts went viral in November
- He claims the former member of staff also sent him explicit messages during the text exchange
- The former receptionist is asking around $900,000 in financial compensation
- She claims the sexual harassment she suffered at Cricket Tasmania was ‘systemic’
Former Australian cricket captain Tim Paine has claimed he received lewd messages from the woman who accused him of sexual harassment.
The cricketer is due to testify in court over the explicit texts that cost the captain his career, after the two sides failed to settle the dispute in mediation.
Renee Ferguson, a former Cricket Tasmania receptionist, claims Paine sent her explicit messages, including a picture of her genitals in November 2017.
Cricket Tasmania responded by claiming in court that Ms Ferguson had also sent the cricketer ‘very’ explicit messages.
The sports body alleges Ms Ferguson failed to provide her full exchange in her court submissions, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Former Australian cricket captain Tim Paine (pictured with wife Bonnie) has claimed the woman accusing him of sexually harassing her also sent him lewd messages
Renee Ferguson, a former Cricket Tasmania receptionist, alleged Paine sent her sexually explicit messages, including a picture of his penis in November 2017
In documents filed with the court, Paine allegedly described his version of their virtual correspondence as “incomplete and inaccurate”.
Paine claimed he and the former staffer exchanged around 20 to 30 messages.
In one, the ex-captain reportedly wrote: ‘Wanna taste my d**?? F**k me, I’m seriously h***.’
“The plaintiff’s text messages to Mr Paine escalated to the extent that they contained highly sexualised and explicit sexual content,” Cricket Tasmania admitted.
Paine was cleared of wrongdoing in 2018, after Cricket Australia found Paine did not engage in any non-consensual conduct, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
The father-of-two sent the unsolicited photo of his genitals the morning before playing for Australia – but not as captain – in an Ashes Test match in Brisbane in November 2017, the court heard.
Paine stepped down as captain of the Australian cricket team in November 2021 and issued an emotional public apology after the explicit texts went viral (pictured)
In court filings, Paine (pictured with wife Bonnie) described Ms Ferguson’s version of their virtual correspondence as ‘incomplete and inaccurate’.
Court documents previously claimed that Ms Ferguson tried to distance the text conversation from being of a sexual nature, according to reports.
When Paine sent her the explicit photo, Ms Ferguson claims she was ‘taken aback’ and offended.
Paine stepped down as captain of the Australian cricket team in November 2021 and issued an emotional public apology after his explicit texts went viral.
Paine’s wife Bonnie, with whom he shares daughter Milla and son Charlie, knew about the sexting scandal but supported her husband.
The father-of-two (pictured with wife Bonnie) is said to have sent the unsolicited photo of his genitals to Ms Ferguson the morning before playing for Australia – but not as captain – in an Ashes Test match at Brisbane in November. 2017
Ms Ferguson was charged with theft but denied the allegations in a separate case at Hobart Magistrates Court.
She resigned from Cricket Tasmania immediately after being suspended and, in court papers, the alleged sexual harassment left her with suicidal thoughts.
The former employee said she was now unable to work or care for her children and was seeking compensation for her pain and suffering, medical bills and salary.
She is seeking approximately $900,000 from Cricket Tasmania in compensation. The case will return to Federal Court on May 10.
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