Former teacher’s aide faces trial for alleged sexual abuse of student at remote NT school

A FORMER Territory teacher’s aide is facing trial without a lawyer accused of sexually abusing his former student.

A former Territory teacher’s aide is facing trial without a lawyer accused of sexually abusing his former student.

A FORMER Territory teacher’s aide is facing trial without a lawyer accused of sexually abusing his former student.

Michael Neade, 58, appeared in the Darwin Supreme Court yesterday to represent himself before a jury.

He is facing a historical charge of sexual intercourse without consent.

Neade was arrested in 2018 after his alleged victim, who says he was eight or nine at the time, told police about the alleged abuse.

Crown prosecutor Stephen Geary told the court Neade worked as a teacher’s aide at a school in a remote part of the Territory, which the NT News has chosen not to name in case it identifies the alleged victim, at the time of the alleged offending from 1995 to 1996.

The complainant was aged eight or nine and was a student at the school at the time.

Mr Geary said Neade lived in a teacher’s cottage on the school’s campus and allegedly invited the complainant to come to his home in January 1995 to take part in an Aboriginal body painting ceremony.

MORE COURT & CRIME NEWS

Man arrested for allegedly robbing series of drivers in their cars at knifepoint

Jail for dealer who bought $250k of ecstasy by post

Top Darwin horse trainer’s son avoids jail over aggravated assault

He allegedly then told the complainant to take his clothes off, covered his body in paint and then took pictures of the naked boy before dropping him off at a nearby youth centre.

The following year, the court heard Neade allegedly asked the complainant to come to his home again to help him move some boxes.

Upon arrival, Neade allegedly invited the complainant inside to play Nintendo before disappearing into his bedroom.

He then allegedly called the complainant into his room where he was lying naked on the bed.

Neade allegedly coaxed him to take his clothes off, saying words to the effect of “I’ve seen yours, you’ve seen mine”.

Neade then allegedly performed oral sex on the complainant and then began “humbugging” the alleged victim to perform oral sex on him, which he did.

The court heard Neade allegedly told the complainant not to tell anyone what had happened.

“I won’t tell anyone you did this to me, I did this to you,” Neade is alleged to have told the complainant.

NT NEWS sizzling new deal: Get all your news for just $5 a month

“For many many years he (the complainant) didn’t tell anyone,” Mr Geary said.

“The first person he tells is a police officer when he is in custody himself.”

Neade did not give an opening address to the jury.

The trial continues.