Table tennis stalwart admits sexual abuse

A Nelson man with a lifetime involvement with New Zealand table tennis has admitted sexually abusing teenage players. File photo / Thinkstock

A Nelson man with a lifetime involvement with New Zealand table tennis has admitted sexually abusing teenage male players.

Table Tennis New Zealand life member and former president Bryan Keane, 54, pleaded guilty in Nelson District Court yesterday to unlawful sexual connection during or around 1997, and indecent assault on a male about 1987, the Nelson Mail reported.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Graeme Eden said the complaints were made independently by two men. The first happened when one was a teen billeted to stay with Keane, while the second was at a table tennis camp.

Keane was remanded in custody and will reappear in court for sentencing on August 8.

- NZPA