Three News
October 21 2008

Teacher Played `Slavery' Game With Boys, Court Told

An Invercargill primary school teacher played "slavery" games with two of his pupils, touching them inappropriately, tying them up and rubbing up against them, a jury was told yesterday.

Paul Alexander Conner, who turns 42 tomorrow, pleaded not guilty in Invercargill District Court to five charges of doing an indecent act on two boys, The Southland Times reported.

Defence lawyer Philip McDonald said the offending did not happen and the issue was one of credibility.

Crown prosecutor Bill Dawkins said Conner had taught both the boys at New River School and asked them, at different times, to go to his farm to help him work his greyhounds.

Mr Dawkins said Conner, a teacher for 22 years, played hide and seek with one of the boys, leading to him tying up the boy loosely before lying on him and rubbing up against him.

The boy also complained that Conner pretended to frisk him and touching his private parts and bottom over his clothes.

The boy described what happened as "like a slavery game".

Mr Dawkins said the second boy had also described going to Conner's farm and playing a similar game.

Mr Dawkins said Conner told police he accepted the boys had been at his property to help with the greyhounds but denied inappropriate touching or rubbing against them.

The trial is expected to last all week.