Teacher keeps name suppression

Name suppression has continued for an Auckland schoolteacher facing three criminal charges for allegedly indecently assaulting a student from his school.

The man, 42, whose name is suppressed, appeared in the North Shore District Court yesterday charged with three counts of indecent assault on a girl aged 14 and 15. The name of the school is also suppressed.

Police allege the man indecently assaulted the girl between February 1, 2001, and September 2, 2002.

The teacher was arrested last month after the girl complained to police. He was then suspended from the school.

The Herald applied to have name suppression lifted but Judge Laurie Hinton allowed it to continue, saying: "It is likely there would be serious and lasting damage to your professional reputation as a result of publication."

Police also opposed the name suppression.

The teacher was released on bail, with conditions, and will appear in court again next month.