'I was naive' says sex accused teacher

An Auckland teacher accused of indecently assaulting a teenage girl in one of his classes said he "never thought of the consequences" of sending her personal emails.

The 42-year-old former teacher, who has name suppression, has pleaded not guilty in Auckland District Court to three charges of indecently assaulting the girl around eight years ago.

The names of the school and the now adult complainant are also suppressed.

The girl was 14 and 15 and the teacher 34 and 35, when the alleged offending took place between February 2001 and September 2002.

The teacher has told the court none of the alleged incidents happened.

Cross-examined by Crown prosecutor Lana Hamilton today, he said he was trying to be personable to the students and was a bit naive at the time.

He said email conversations with the complainant involved social chit chat about music, movies and travel, and it was not about emotions.

"I never really thought about the consequences," he said.

During questioning from his defence counsel Belinda Sellars last week, he admitted sending personal emails to the girl about music and movies but denied there was any physical contact between the pair.

The teacher started at the school in 1997 and was suspended in May last year.

Proceeding.

- NZPA