Bail for teacher accused of sexual harassment

A TEACHER was yesterday granted £2,000 bail by a Nicosia Court after pleading not guilty to three charges of indecent assault and sexual molestation against two boys.

The man’s trial is set to start on September 26. It will be held behind closed doors due to the nature of the offence and the age of the alleged victims.

The 34-year-old state primary school teacher was remanded in custody for two days on Wednesday after the parents of two pupils, aged 11 and 10, reported to police that the man had sexually molested them on separate occasions between 2005 and 2006.

Both boys are now aged 12.

According to police, the accusations came to light when one of the parents went to Paphos Gate Police Station and told officers that their son had told them he was being systematically touched up by his teacher.

The following day, the parents of another pupil from the same class, filed a similar complaint.

Both pupils, who were later called to the station along with their parents, told investigating officers that the alleged offences had taken place both in and out of school.
During yesterday’s hearing, which was conducted behind closed doors, Judge Stavros Stavrou ordered that the teacher pay £2,000 in cash as a guarantee that he would appear at his trial, which has been ordered to start on September 26.

Accompanied by his father, the 34-year-old suspect looked tired and withdrawn, as he was ushered out of the courtroom by his defence lawyer and a police officer.

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