Former Waldorf Willunga School teacher Nicholas Michael Board stands trial accused of sexually abusing drunk teenage girl

By day he taught art, science and geography but by night, prosecutors allege, this man was plying a teen with alcohol to “ensure her submission” to him.

A former Willunga Waldorf School teacher gave a teenager alcohol until she was “dizzy, passing out” and “could not walk straight” to “ensure her submission” to sexual abuse, a court has heard.

The District Court has also heard Nicholas Michael Board was arrested after his students learned of his alleged crimes and reported them to the school – which then called SA Police.

Mr Board has denied wrongdoing.

On Thursday, prosecutor Belinda Sprod said his relationship with the girl was “not an innocent one”.

“He began supplying her with alcohol, and this progressed to supplying her with alcohol at his then-residential address,” she said.

Former Waldorf Willunga School teacher Nicholas Michael Board, left, outside the District Court. Picture: Sean Fewster

“She became quite intoxicated to the point she felt dizzy and, at times, was passing out … they were alone on his bed, where a number of sexual acts took place.

“When she returned home, she couldn’t walk straight … she later told Mr Board she had got her period and he replied ‘oh good, at least you’re not pregnant’.”

Mr Board, 41, of Mount Barker Springs, is standing trial having pleaded not guilty to one count each of unlawful sexual intercourse, indecent assault and aggravated assault.

He has also pleaded not guilty to communicating with the intent to make a child amenable to sexual activity.

Mr Board was arrested and charged in July 2023 and his employment terminated, but the charges were subsequently dropped.

At the time, however, police said their investigation “remains open pending further evidence”, resulting in the trial.

The court heard Mr Board was arrested after students learned of the alleged offending and informed the school, which notified SA Police. Picture: Sean Fewster

In her opening address on Thursday, Ms Sprod said the alleged offending occurred against a background of “uncharged discreditable conduct” by Mr Board.

That included extending, to the girl, “frequent night-time” invitations to his home, recording videos on her phone and “discussing sexualised matters” through text messages.

The prosecution would, she said, seek to prove Mr Board “was trying to ensure the girl’s submission” through his supply of alcohol to her.

“(After the abuse) the girl has no memory of speaking to anyone,” she said.

“However, a good friend will give evidence he received a social media audio message from her, late at night when he was in bed.

“Importantly, she told him she had ‘been at Nick’s place’, they ‘had been drinking’ and that she ‘had sex with him’.”

Ms Sprod said students at Willunga Waldorf School subsequently became aware of the alleged offending.

“The students spoke to their teachers, and this led to the police becoming involved … Mr Board was suspended from all teaching duties,” she said.

The trial, before Judge Nick Alexandrides and in the absence of a jury, continues.