High school teacher, 40, to stand trial accused of sex with teenage student

A TEACHER has denied having sex multiple times across a period of six months with a teenage schoolgirl in the Hunter. Login or signup to continue reading Daniel Raymond Belcher, wearing sunglasses and a hat, was flanked by supporters as he entered Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday. The 40-year-old man pleaded not guilty to nine counts of having sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old girl under his "special care".

The alleged offending unfolded between June and December last year while Belcher was a teacher in the Maitland area and the teenager was a student. Belcher will stand trial in Newcastle District Court on the nine charges at a later date. Belcher was arrested by Port Stephens Hunter detectives at Maitland Police Station on March 28 this year following an investigation.



He was granted conditional bail at the time and magistrate Caleb Franklin ordered those conditions to continue in court on December 18. Belcher will face Newcastle District Court for the first time in February, where he will formally enter pleas and a trial date will be set. His employer confirmed after his arrest that Belcher no longer worked at the school and no longer held accreditation to teach.

Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: [email protected].

au Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: [email protected].

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