Port Augusta teacher Ammy Singleton child sex crime claim linked to sports club, court hears

New details have been revealed in court about the child sex crime allegation levelled against a Port Augusta teacher.

A teacher charged with grooming a teenage boy came into contact with the alleged victim via a sporting club, not a school, a court has heard.

Ammy Singleton, 28, is facing the serious child sex charge of communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity.

It is alleged she groomed the 16-year-old male victim at Port Augusta last year.

Defence counsel, Andrew Fowler-Walker has sought to suppress her identity and details of the case due to the media’s “irrelevant” references to her employment as an educator.

Mr Fowler-Walker said the allegations are that the pair came into contact through a sporting club.

Port Augusta Teacher Ammy Singleton. Picture: Pinterest

Ammy Singleton. Picture: Facebook

He said the alleged victim was not taught by Ms Singleton and contacted her through a chat room.

When seeking a suppression order, Mr Fowler-Walker said reporting on the matter would prejudice her right to a fair trial.

He said she had not been charged with an abuse of position of trust as her offending did not relate to a student.

Mr Fowler-Walker argued that reporting had implied other children were at risk, which he said was not relevant.

Prosecutors opposed the application because her role as a teacher was a “factual matter” and would not prejudice the case.

Magistrate David McLeod rejected the suppression order application.

An interim order was made until Thursday to allow time for an appeal. It was lifted after no application for appeal was made.

Ms Singleton was arrested and charged on December 23, 2021 with offending alleged to have happened in November that year.

She worked as a temporary relief teacher at six schools in Port Augusta after graduating in 2017.

After her first court appearance in February, Port Augusta West Primary School, Flinders View Primary School and Augusta Park Primary School sent letters to parents advising them of the criminal charges against their former employee.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said Ms Singleton’s authority to work at education department sites had been revoked.

Ms Singleton will face court again in July where she is expected to answer the charge.

According to state law, a person who procures a child or makes communication with the intention of procuring a child to engage in, or submit to sexual activity can face 10 years prison, if found guilty.