Former primary school teacher Alan Johnathan Uphill, 58, pleads not guilty to maintaining sexual relationship with girl under 17

A former primary school teacher has fled from media, disguised under a mask and a hoodie, after answering charges he maintained a sexual relationship with a child.

A former primary school teacher has told a court he did not maintain a sexual relationship with a child under the age of 17.

Leaving court hidden beneath a medical mask, glasses and a hoodie, Alan Johnathan Uphill would not comment on the allegations of child abuse against him.

The 58-year-old, from Ethleton, has been charged with one count of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child under 17 years.

Police allege that unlawful relationship – in which Mr Uphill touched the girl on her breasts, buttocks and genitalia – occurred over a period of five years.

Alan Uphill leaves court after denying he maintained a sexual relationship with a child. Picture: The Advertiser

He will return to court in September. Picture: The Advertiser

Mr Uphill has previously worked at a number of schools across the state, as both a full-time member of staff and a temporary relief teacher.

He has not worked at any public school since October 2024 – two months before he first faced court.

In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday morning, Mr Uphill formally denied the charge against him, and was remanded on continuing bail – with conditions that he not engage in or seek out any child related employment – until his next appearance in the District Court in September.

Following his arrest, the principals of schools at which Mr Uphill has worked wrote to parents.

In one such letter, previously sighted by The Advertiser, a principal assured parents there was “no need” for concern as the alleged offending did “not involve any student”.

The principal stated Mr Uphill had been banned from engaging in any child-related work while being prosecuted, and been directed away from all public schools.