Jury in teacher sex case retires

An investigation into the teacher's conduct began after a former student came forward to say he touched her under her clothing. Photo / Thinkstock

A jury has retired to consider multiple sexual allegations against an Auckland primary school teacher.

The man in his 50s, who has name suppression until at least the conclusion of the trial, has denied charges regarding nine female students over a four-year period.

At the outset of the trial two weeks ago, he pleaded not guilty today to 16 counts of doing an indecent act on girls under the age of 12.

The name of the school at which he taught was also suppressed.

Judge Russell Collins summarised the case at Auckland District Court this morning.

He told jurors that some of the actions outlined by the Crown were accepted by the defendant.

Prosecutor Eliza Walker said the charges covered touching of the girls' chest, lap, buttocks, waist and "private parts".

Defence counsel Stephanie Cowdell said her client may have had physical contact with his students but it was certainly not sexual or indecent.

"He did hug girls, and he hugged boys. He did have some girls on his lap. He did kiss some girls on the forehead, often after a kapa-haka performance," she said.

An investigation into the teacher's conduct began after a former student came forward to say he touched her under her clothing; something the man totally denied.

Within months, police and social workers had interviewed nearly 100 children.

The alleged offences took place within the teacher's classroom, which Judge Collins said was a factor the jury should consider.

"The defence says it's implausible he would have done things to the victims when others were around and could see what was going on," he said.

But the Crown's view was that the offending was more "nuanced".

Judge Collins instructed the jury to seek unanimous verdicts on all counts.