Case of Taree teacher charged with rape, sexually abusing teen student back in Mid-North Coast court

A northern NSW teacher who allegedly became obsessed with a female student, sent her lingerie and sexually abused her, has had his bail extended. Get the latest from court.

Taree Police Station.

A Taree teacher, who allegedly became obsessed with a female student, sent her lingerie and sexually abused her has had his bail extended.

The man in his 40s, who cannot legally be identified, was arrested at Taree on December 8 last year.

He spent a weekend remanded in custody at Kempsey before being released on bail the following Monday.

Police opposed bail and said they held “serious concerns for the ongoing safety of the (alleged) victim due to the level of fixation” they claim the teacher developed with the student over several years.

The teacher is facing 10 charges, including five counts of sexual intercourse without consent, or rape.

He has also been charged with two counts of sexually touching another person and one count each of sexual assault under authority, stalking/intimidating and sexually touching another person without consent. No pleas have been entered at this stage.

When his case came before Taree Local Court on Monday, the defendant was not required to appear and his case was case adjourned to March 11 for charges to be certified.

It was heard in court on December 11, when he successfully applied for bail, the female student was 18 at the time of alleged offending, but came into contact with the man some time prior.

Teacher granted bail at Taree Local Court on December 11.

Defence lawyer Gus Farland told the court his client’s wife was requesting to vouch for him if he was to be released into the community.

But a police prosecutor questioned suitability given the woman did not know about the alleged offending over a three-year period and may be “easily deceived”.

The prosecutor also alleged the teacher sent the complainant lingerie, which was “easily provable” and that he had an “obsession”.

The prosecutor alleged the man was confronted by the alleged victim’s parents, but only stopped offending for a short time.

At the time, Magistrate Sharon Crews described the allegations as “extremely serious” and said the case against the accused was relatively strong, after combing through a 77-page police brief.

Ms Crews said it was alleged there had been an “escalation in conduct” as a kind of “grooming”.

Mr Farland pointed out his client was not charged with grooming and Ms Crews replied “maybe I should have used a different word.”

Taree courthouse

Mr Farland told the court the teacher was “determined to defend” the charges.

He said the man had investment properties and his business “would need to close”.

Mr Farland raised questions about the stalking/intimidating allegation and told the court it related to the alleged victim leaving on her “snap maps” Snapchat app history.

He said this “stretched the credulity” of the alleged offending causing any fear of harm.

“There is certainly evidence of a relationship and he admits to sending images, which is evidence of a relationship – but it’s my clear instructions that none of these offences occurred,” Mr Farland told the court.

A bail surety of $20,000 was offered up, but Ms Crews sent Mr Farland away to see if the offer could be increased.

He later returned to tell the court the defendant would take out a second mortgage on a Mid-North Coast home.

The teacher was granted bail to live at his parent’s home. He was ordered to report to Tamworth Police Station every Monday and Thursday.