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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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A Wellington
primary school teacher has told a jury he never touched a former student who
claims he raped her. The 43-year-old man,
not currently working as a teacher, has denied two charges of sexual
violation by rape, one of indecent assault and two of assault. The Crown has alleged
the teacher raped the girl in a school corridor and a small office during a
break, touched her at his home and kicked her and pushed a couch over her
foot in 1996. He told Wellington
District Court yesterday that there was no door to the little alcove or
office in the classroom where his desk was. Personal photos produced by the
man showed the small space with no door. In an interview with
Detective Bridget Robinson the man denied raping the girl, who was then aged
seven. He said he remembered
the girl and had spoken to her about her school work because she was not
doing what was asked. The accused described
her as quiet, small, given to fantasies and fairytales and who always wrote
about horses. He said the girl's
mother had thought he was picking on her and spoke to the principal about it.
A student teacher who
saw the man with his students in 1996 did not recall any physical bullying.
She said he was respected by the students. The trial is expected to finish
this week. |
