Accused teacher says life 'shattered'

Supporters of Masterton deputy principal Russell Thompson attended a court hearing to show support for a man whose life has been "shattered" by allegations that he indecently assaulted a pupil.

Thompson, who was committed for trial yesterday, is expected to be back in court in Wellington in September for a trial date to be set toward the end of year.

Outside Masterton District Court yesterday at the start of a depositions hearing, the long-serving teacher - flanked by family, friends and former pupils, as well as teaching staff - said his life had almost fallen apart because of the court case.

The allegation that he committed an indecent act on a girl aged 12 by kissing her and, on numerous occasions, touching her bottom, all during school hours, had left his teaching career on hold.

"It's been horrible and I feel totally shattered," he said.

"This is anyone's worst nightmare and has been hard on everyone.

"I love my teaching and my life here with my family. I just want to get it back."

Thompson's bail conditions include not going within 500 metres of the school or having unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 16, with witnesses or the complainant.

The depositions hearing before two JPs was told that the pupil, 12, sought comfort in a friend on May 4 - telling her classmate that Thompson, or "Mr T" as he is known by staff and teachers at the school, had held her hands and kissed her on the lips.

Police allege that on that day Thompson had asked the girl to help him during the lunch break to shift equipment from his office to a storage room near the back of the school.

The alleged victim had asked a friend to help her.

The friend, who has name suppression because of her age, said that once the job was done, Thompson told her to go and prepare for her next class, but asked the alleged victim to stay behind so he could talk to her about an incident involving another pupil.

The complainant claimed that once they were alone, Thompson took her hands, leaned over and kissed her on the lips.

She pulled away and tried to move around him to reach the door as he asked for "one more".

Her friend, when told of the incident minutes later, said: "If you are joking, this is not a funny joke. If you are serious, then you need to tell someone."

In cross-examination, Thompson's lawyer Paul Paino put it to the friend that there was a possibility, aside from being a joke or being real, that it could have been a lie.

"I suppose," the friend replied.

Mr Paino said that on the basis of the written statement by the complainant a trial was inevitable.

Thompson was further remanded on bail to appear in Wellington District Court on September 11 for a trial date to be set.