former australian cricketer Aaron Summers He faces a possible jail term after pleading guilty to child sex abuse offenses related to a 2018 incident in Tasmania.The 30-year-old, who played domestic cricket for Hobart Hurricanes and Tasmania, changed his plea in late June and admitted two counts of penetrative sexual abuse of a child and one count of grooming with intent to expose a child to indecent material.According to court proceedings, Somers was a member of the Hobart Hurricanes squad when the incidents occurred. The Supreme Court of Tasmania heard Summers contacted the victim via social media before the incident.During the hearing, Summers’ lawyer Caroline Graves argued the offenses occurred at a particularly difficult time in his life when he was isolated from society and spent a lot of time on social media. She told the court Summers had reflected on his actions and believed the risk of reoffending was low.“This crime will never be out of his mind but he does need to get on with his life,” Ms Graves said, according to the Daily Mail.She also highlighted that Somers was considered one of the fastest bowlers in the world at the time and was viewed as a potential international player. “At the time of the offences, he was one of the fastest bowlers in the world, which is why he was identified for international duty,” she said, adding, “He knew he would never progress as a professional cricketer in Australia or overseas.”Summers pleaded guilty in 2021 to child exploitation offences, including possessing and distributing child abuse material, and had previously served a prison sentence in the Northern Territory. His lawyers sought consideration of a suspended sentence, but Judge Helen Wood said that was not an option. Summers was released on bail and is currently on remand and will be sentenced in August.
