Teacher aide charged after impersonating cop

A teacher aide at a leading school has been charged with impersonating an undercover cop at a massage parlour.

Fabian Heke Broughton, 48, pleaded not guilty in the Auckland District Court on September 3 to three charges, including the allegation he told a massage worker, "I am an undercover police officer". The other counts are for obtaining a pecuniary advantage, namely cash, by deception.

Mt Albert Grammar School headmaster Dale Burden was not aware of the allegations until contacted by the Herald on Sunday.

He said he would look into the matter, and take advice on what action he was able to take. Burden confirmed Broughton was a teacher aide who worked in the learning support unit and "doesn't teach anything in the curriculum".

At home in Mangere Bridge yesterday, Broughton declined to comment on the charges.

Police allege Broughton visited a parlour four times during July and August. He allegedly told sex workers he was a police officer and tried to obtain services and cash.

On his first visit he allegedly asked for $300 but was declined until he showed a cellphone video recording he had made of himself and one of the girls having sex that day. He made threats and was given $50.

On a second visit he asked for $150, which was given to him.

By the third visit, police allege staff concluded what he was doing was not standard police behaviour and refused him services and money.

It is alleged he didn't visit the parlour for a month after being turned away but returned wearing a wig and sunglasses. A sex worker called the police.

Broughton was remanded on bail to reappear for a status hearing on October 20.

Late on Friday afternoon, Burden wrote to the newspaper. "I was very surprised to hear, from you, that one of my staff recently appeared in the Auckland District Court to answer criminal charges. The school and I were unaware of any charges or any court appearance," he wrote. "I understand that a not guilty plea has been entered. I also understand that the alleged offending took place outside of work hours and away from the workplace.

"As the matter is currently before the Court, the school can make no further comment in case it breaches the law relating to sub judice."

This is not the first time in the past year the school has hit the headlines. In November, a technology-savvy student was caught on library security cameras downloading porn.

The next day, the boy spread the pornographic material to all the computers in the library from a portable memory stick, and showed a group of boys. He was suspended for five days.