CRIMINAL CHARGES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11046, 1 November 1921, Page 6

CRIMINAL CHARGES

SCHOOL TEACHER IN TROUBLE. Per Press Association. TTMARU, October 81. At Temuka to-day, before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., David Thomas Todd, aged 56, a school master at Clandeboye, was charged with having had carnal knowledge of and lour indecent assaults on a school girl, aged from 13 to 14 years, and similar charges in respect to another girl of the same age, between August Ist and October 6th. The criminal assaults on the girls were said to have taken place in a spare cl .ssroom While the school was in session, and the indecent assaults when the girls were in a class in the school. The girls gave clear evidence of the major acts. Accused’s precautions prevented direct corrobative evidence, but numerous boys and girls testified to frequent acts of indecency towards the girls in the olass. A medical witness testified that both girls had been criminally tampered with. After hearing the evidence, one charge of indecent assault in each case was withdrawn, and accused pleaded not guilty and committed for trial on each of nine charges at the Suppreme Court in Timaru in February next. Detective Abbot conducted-'the case for -the Crown and Mr W. D. Campbell appeared for accused. Bail was fixed for £3OO, and one surety of £3OO, .and it was forthcoming.