Ex-NRL star Brett Finch splits with his wife after being convicted of sharing child abuse material

Disgraced ex-NRL star Brett Finch has reportedly split with his wife of five years, months after being convicted of sharing child abuse material online.

Ellie Johnston, who married the 41-year-old in 2018 and shares a three-year-old daughter with him, represented him during his trial.

In December – a month after Finch narrowly avoided jail for sending ‘depraved’ voice messages about sex to young boys on a gay chat service in an attempt to score drugs – Ms Johnston said their family needed time to heal.

But now the Announce sun has reported that the couple is “no longer together.”

The couple met in 2013, married in 2018 and have a three-year-old daughter together

Ms Johnston, the daughter of Australian Football Hall of Famer and Carlton AFL great Wayne Johnston, met Finch in 2013.

While she has paid tribute to her daughter’s resilience since Finch was charged, Ms Johnston has not shared a single photo or video of her husband on social media since his arrest.

Finch, who played 270 NRL matches in a 14-year career, is reportedly now living off Centrelink payments after being knocked back on an estimated 300 job applications.

It is clear that he rarely leaves his home in southern Sydney.

The former halfback was arrested in December 2021 and charged with using a carriage service to publicize or promote child abuse after officers intercepted his conversations in a web chat room called FastMeet.

Finch was ensnared in a wider investigation conducted under the banner of Strike Force Hank by officers from the NSW Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.

Judge Phillip Mahony sentenced Finch to a two-year, $1,000 good conduct bond in Sydney’s Downing Center District Court on November 23.

It is understood that Mrs Johnstone (pictured) ended the relationship earlier this year after a period of absence

Finch, 41, was given a two-year good behavior bond and must adhere to strict probation conditions and see a psychologist for a year. Pictured, he arrives at the Downing Center Local Court in Sydney in October

Finch was under the influence of drugs when he left a series of “twisted” messages on a gay chat line describing a desire to perform sexual acts on boys as young as 12.

In court, Finch admitted that he was disgusted with himself for making the calls and said his only intention had been to obtain cocaine as his drug problem was “growing out of control.”

He believed the messages would put him in touch with people who could supply him with cocaine.

Judge Mahony described Finch’s actions as “deeply depraved” and “absurd,” but accepted that it had more to do with his chronic cocaine addiction than any genuine sexual interest in children.

He said Finch had no criminal record, helped with youth football coaching and charity work, and had little chance of recidivism.

“I accept that he is genuinely sorry for his abusive behavior,” said Judge Mahony, noting that the ex-footballer acted alone while on a drug binge.

Finch has reportedly been living off Centrelink since his arrest after being kicked back from hundreds of jobs

The NSW District Court heard when Finch’s online offense occurred that he was consuming as much as 25 grams of cocaine a week, which is considered dangerously high use.

Finch has spoken publicly about his past problems with alcohol and drugs.

He had once been a popular public speaker and had supported several charities, but had now ‘lost everything’.

“I understand why no one wants to get near me,” Finch said.

“I can’t blame anyone but myself…it hurt so many other people and I’m sorry.”

Psychologist Chris Lennings told the court that Finch’s offense was not sexually motivated, but that it was important that the ex-football player be subjected to drug testing.

Judge Mahony warned that if he breaks the bond with good behavior, he could likely be sent to prison.