Teacher denies indecently touching students

A primary school teacher has denied allegations of indecently touching nine female students. Photo / Thinkstock

A primary school teacher accused of indecently touching nine of his female students over a four-year period has denied the allegations.

The man in his 50s, who has name suppression until the end of the Auckland District Court trial, 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.

Crown prosecutor Eliza Walker said the alleged indecency began shortly after the teacher started working at the school.

She told the jury the charges covered the defendant touching a girl's chest, lap, buttocks, waist and "private parts".

It is also alleged he groped a girl under her culottes and kissed one complainant on the forehead.

"She was freaking out but she didn't say anything or do anything. It was the last day of school and she just thought 'why was this happening?"', Ms Walker said.

"[The girl] was shocked by what her teacher was doing to her."

Ms Walker said the actions took place on school grounds, mostly in the classroom in front of the other students.

The prosecutor outlined the evidence likely to be given by each girl.

Most are expected to say they generally enjoyed being in the man's class.

"They watched movies, had ice blocks and had talent shows," Ms Walker said. "What she didn't like about [him] was his hands touching her or other girls."

Others told investigators they felt the defendant's actions were "weird" and were "kind of grossed out" but did not raise any objection with their teacher at the time.

"She felt uncomfortable but pretended to not notice," Ms Walker said of one girl.

The schools' former principal will be called as first witness before each of the nine children give their evidence.

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.

Ms Cowdell said some of the allegations are things she could demonstrate with her co-counsel in court.

"If I were to do it, it'd be inappropriate but not indecent," she said. "That's the kind of leap the Crown is asking you to make."

The jury will watch some of the DVD interviews with the complainants and the lawyer asked them to pay close attention to how they were questioned.

"The interviewers direct them and have an agenda... they try and create things out of nothing," Ms Cowdell said.

The trial before Judge Russell Collins and a jury of seven men and five women is scheduled to last up to four weeks.