Durban - The State has provided a new “provisional” charge sheet, with fleshed out charges, to the former Durban high school drama teacher who is alleged to have used teenage pupils to create child pornography.
And with the matter now transferred from the court used for his initial appearances and bail applications to a regional court, it is likely the matter will proceed to trial soon.
The teacher – who cannot be named until he pleads to the charges – was arrested at the end of August last year.
At the time he was a contractor at the school, but had previously been the drama teacher.
He was immediately dismissed.
The present 11 charges relate to two pupils, who were 15 and 17 years old at the time of the alleged offences.
He is accused of creating child pornography, possession of child pornography, sexual exploitation of a child, sexual grooming of a child and using children for, or benefiting from, child pornography.
On his arrest, the police seized evidence from his cellphone and computer – including messages and photographs – which prosecutor Jerome Gnanapragas has used to prepare the charge sheet presently before the court.
Defence attorney Nerissa Farrington and the teacher still have to go through this evidence in order to prepare a plea.
It is expected that at his next court appearance, on April 22, the matter will be set down for trial.
The Mercury