KEY POINTS:
A 12-year-old girl told a court yesterday that a teacher who kissed her had been her favourite teacher.
Russell Brian Thompson, 46, a Masterton Intermediate School deputy principal, is facing two charges of performing an indecent act on a girl.
He denies the charges and did not seek name suppression.
The trial began in Wellington District Court yesterday before a jury of six men and six women.
Prosecutor Kate Feltham said in an opening statement that the complainant would say that the accused touched her bottom on the outside of her clothes on a number of occasions when they were alone. And that the accused kissed her on the mouth.
The complainant and a friend had been helping Thompson in an empty classroom. When the friend left, the kissing occurred.
The accused took hold of the complainant's hands, leaned forward and kissed her. As the girl withdrew, Thompson said "one more".
In a video interview played to the court the girl said she looked Thompson in the eye and said no.
Paul Paino, representing Thompson, said the case for the defence was simple. "The defence's position is that what is accused simply did not occur.
"There was no kiss, there never was and there was no touching of the complainant's bottom."
In the taped interview the girl said "Mr T" was "probably my favourite teacher. He is now my least favourite teacher."
The case is continuing.
- NZPA
