Teacher faces two fresh charges involving girls

A teacher charged with sexual offending against former students can keep his identity a secret for another five weeks.

The 29-year-old yesterday faced two fresh charges when he appeared in the North Shore District Court.

He is charged with 12 counts of indecent assault and two of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.

The charges involve seven girls who were aged 13 and 14 at the time of the alleged offending, between January 2002 and September 2005.

Six of the girls were pupils at the secondary school where the man worked until September last year. It is understood police began an investigation earlier this year.

The man was arrested on August 28 at an Auckland school where he worked two days a week. A school spokesman said the man had not worked alone with children during his three months of employment and resigned the day he was arrested. He did not disclose the charges to the board when he resigned.

The principal knew the teacher before employing him and the school checked the man was registered with the New Zealand Teachers Council.

The teacher first appeared in court on September 1 and did not seek name suppression.

However, it was granted last Friday after his new lawyer, Gary Gotlieb, learned the Herald would publish an article about the case.

Judge David Wilson granted the interim order, saying it "must have been an oversight" that the lawyer who first represented the teacher did not apply for suppression.

The man arrived at court yesterday with family members in support.

Mr Gotlieb asked for continued name suppression and it was granted until a full suppression hearing is held on October 17.

The teacher is remanded on bail and remains a registered teacher while the council investigates a complaint against him.

Council director Peter Lind said it would not tell prospective employers the teacher was under investigation nor disclose he was facing criminal charges if they checked his registration.

"There has to be some sort of sensitivity around that, particularly if the person is found to be innocent. Our process can't allow us to go through and make a judgment on that or imply something ... until all the facts have been heard and a judgment has been made."

School Trustees Association president Chris Haines said schools employing new teachers checked the council register and "that's probably what you go on really".

"It's also about schools doing checks to the best of their ability on staff they employ."