Former DCP worker Hannah Neale pleads not guilty to sexual intercourse with child under 17

A former child protection worker and Qantas employee has pleaded not guilty to allegations she was in a sexual relationship with a child.

A former child protection worker and airline employee has pleaded not guilty to maintaining a sexual relationship with a child.

In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning, former Department of Child Protection contractor Hannah Joyce Neale denied allegations she had been in a sexual relationship with a child between December 2021 and August 2022.

The Evanston woman stood silently in the dock before Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal asked her how she was answering the charges.

Hannah Neale, a Qantas employee charged with child sexual offence, leaves court. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

She pleaded not guilty to the charges. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Ms Neale was arrested in June 2024 and later charged with one count each of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child, and having sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 17 years.

The 29-year-old previously asked the court to vary her bail agreement so she could continue her work for Qantas, who held her in “high regard” and hoped she could continue working.

Her counsel previously submitted she would not pose a risk to the community as it was “restricted” circumstances around the offending.

On Wednesday, she quietly answered “not guilty” as she was asked for her plea to each count.

Judge Hribal remanded her on continuing bail, and she will face the District Court in July where a date for trial will be set.

Originally published as Former DCP worker Hannah Neale pleads not guilty to sexual intercourse with child under 17