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Rutendo Rori Mash East correspondent
A 33-year-old Peterhouse school teacher appeared in court for allegedly fondling a Form Four female pupil at the school last week.

The teacher (name withheld to protect identity of the victim), denied the allegations and magistrate Mr Liberty Garakara postponed the matter to April 4 for continuation of trial.

The teacher is out of custody.

Prosecuting, Mr Augustine Mugari told the court that sometime in August last year at around 11am, the complainant and her cousin went to Peterhouse boys IT Lab to study, but found the door locked.

She then proceeded to the accused person’s office to collect the keys and when she entered, the accused told her that she had a beautiful body.

He allegedly drew closer to her and fondled her breasts and hips.

The complainant told the accused person to stop it, but instead he forcefully kissed her on the lips.

The complainant then got out of the office and went to the lab, but did not tell anyone.

On the second count, on an unknown date in August last year, the complainant was in the lab studying with her cousin when she failed to print some things and went to the accused’s office for assistance.

When she entered the office, the accused complemented her on her dressing and told her to turn around, but she refused.

He allegedly stood up from where he was seated and went to where the complainant was standing, got hold of her shoulders, forced her to turn around and closed the door.

He then got behind the complainant and started fondling her breasts before forcing her to touch his manhood.

The complainant threatened to scream, but the accused was not moved.

The accused only stopped fondling the pupil when they heard a knock on the door.

He then told the complainant that he was going to have sexual intercourse with her next year when she will be in Form Five.

The teacher then told the complainant not to disclose the matter to anyone because he was afraid of losing his job.

The matter came to light on January 27 this year when the complainant told her mother (name withheld) who then went and made a report to Peterhouse Boys High School where it was deliberated, leading to school authorities making a report to the police.