Mid-North Coast teacher faces Taree court charged with sexually abusing female student as prosecutors eye off new charges

More charges are pending in the explosive case of a Taree teacher who allegedly became obsessed with a female student, sent her lingerie and sexually abused her. Here’s what we know.

More charges are in line to be laid in the explosive case of a Taree teacher who allegedly became obsessed with a female student, sent her lingerie and sexually abused her.

The man in his 40s, who is unable to legally be identified, is already facing 10 charges, including five counts of sexual intercourse without consent, or rape.

It was revealed by a police prosecutor in Taree Local Court on Monday that more charges were being considered “because of a second statement from the (alleged) victim”.

Several more students were waiting to be interviewed in the “complex” case, it was added.

An adjournment was requested as the matters slowly proceed through the courts.

Magistrate Allison Hawkins asked the teacher’s lawyer Gus Farland if his client was in the courtroom.

“He is nearby,” Mr Farland replied.

A Mid-North Coast teacher is facing court accused of sexually abusing a female student. Picture: Supplied

With the likelihood of more charges and interviews, Ms Hawkins adjourned to April 8.

Meanwhile, the accused has been bailed to live with his parents in a small town near Tamworth. He was ordered to report to a police station twice weekly.

The teacher was arrested on December 8 and spent a weekend remanded in custody before being released on bail.

Police opposed bail on December 11 and said they held “serious concerns for the ongoing safety of the (alleged) victim due to the level of fixation” they claim developed over several years.

The man 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 to any charges, but Mr Farland said at last appearance his client was “determined to defend” the charges.

He said it was the teacher’s “instructions that none of these offences occurred”.

Prosecutors told the court the student was 18 at the time of the alleged offending, but came into contact with the man sometime beforehand.

It was also alleged the obsessed defendant sent the teen lingerie, it was “easily provable” and he was confronted by the young woman’s parents, but only ceased offending for a short time.

Magistrate Sharon Crews previously described “grooming” allegations as “extremely serious” and said the case appeared relatively strong, but Mr Farland told the court his client was not charged with grooming.

“Maybe I should have used a different word,” Ms Crews replied.

The defendant took out a second mortgage on a Mid-North Coast home to secure bail, the court heard.

Got a news tip? Email: [e-mail]

Originally published as Mid-North Coast teacher faces Taree court charged with sexually abusing female student as prosecutors eye off new charges