Teacher faces court charges of sexually abusing one of her students – The Irish News

A teacher at a school in Belfast is on trial. She is accused of sexually abusing one of her students and encouraging her to help herself.

The 32-year-old woman is said to have specifically approached the teenager over a period of four months, with at least one meeting taking place at a popular vantage point overlooking the city.

However, her lawyer said she claimed to have been the victim in all encounters with the teenager.

The name of the defendant, who has since been suspended from the school where she taught, cannot be disclosed for legal reasons.

She is accused of a total of seven criminal offenses, including sexual assault, sexual acts with a child and meeting a child after sexual initiation.

It is also alleged that the defendant sexually touched the boy while in a position of trust with him.

Other charges include having sexual contact with the teenager, possessing an indecent photograph of him and indecent behaviour in a public place – namely in the Black Mountains area of ​​Belfast.

The alleged crimes were committed between February and May this year.

At her first appearance before Belfast Magistrates Court, the woman confirmed that she understood the allegations against her.

Defense attorney Adrian Harvey described it as a unique case.

“The defendant is also the plaintiff in these proceedings,” he explained.

Mr Harvey told the court that all of their computers and phones had been seized as part of the police investigation.

“She is a full-time teacher, but obviously that is why she was suspended,” the lawyer added.

Presiding District Judge Steven Keown adjourned the case until July 29.