Adelaide High School teacher’s indecent assault charge dropped

An Adelaide High School teacher accused of aggravated indecent assault had his charge dropped just as his two-day trial was set to begin.

An Adelaide High School teacher accused of aggravated indecent assault had his charge dropped. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

A former Adelaide High School teacher charged with aggravated indecent assault has had the case against him dropped.

Leon James Shackleford, 63, fronted the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning, where he pleaded not guilty to the offence.

It had been alleged the assault took place between May 1 and July 31 in 2019 in Adelaide.

The charge was aggravated because Mr Shackleford had abused a position of authority in committing the alleged offence, the court heard.

Further details of the allegation had not been made public.

The matter was listed for a two-day trial, but, in a surprise development, a prosecutor said no evidence would be put before the court.

Magistrate Simon Smart then dismissed the charge and told Mr Shackleford: “you’re free to go”.

He made no comment to reporters as he left court with his legal team on Wednesday.