A former Christian school principal has pleaded not guilty to all 13 charges against him of sexually abusing boys.
Raymond George Melrose, 68, entered the not guilty pleas and opted for a jury trial when he made his second appearance in the Kaikohe District Court today.
Melrose was the principal of Kaikohe Christian School from 1997 until earlier this year but the alleged abuse is said to have occurred outside Northland 40 years ago. The charges relate to two brothers and include four of sodomy with a male aged 12-16, three of indecent assault on a male aged 12-16, and one indecent assault on a boy under 12.
Judge Phil Gittos further remanded Melrose on bail to a Paihia address. Bail conditions include no unsupervised contact with children aged under 16. He is due back in court on January 28 for a case review hearing.
Much of the discussion during today's hearing centred on whether TV should be allowed to film Melrose in court.