Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

A high-schoolteacher who is charged with four counts of carnal abuse committed against a 13-year-old girl, who was reportedly abused three times on the school compound, was granted $500,000 bail in court yesterday.

When he appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court, his lawyer made a successful bail application.

Peter Champagnie told the court there were inconsistencies in the Crown's case. He told the court that if his client is granted bail he would honour his obligation to the court.

The court was told the teacher has a steady and suitable address and would not interfere with the Crown's case.

After consulting the clerk of courts, Resident Magistrate Marcia Dunbar-Green granted bail to the 24-year-old accused.

The conditions of his bail are to report to the Portmore police every day, surrender travel documents and is under curfew between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. every day.

Allegations are that on May 11, the accused lured the complainant to his house in Portmore, St Catherine, where he sexually assaulted her. It is said that on three other occasions he became intimate with the child in the teachers' lunch room on the school compound. The child reported the matter to her mother after rumours started to swirl about the affair.

As a result of an investigation, the accused was arrested at the school on November 28. He was subsequently charged with carnal abuse.

He is to reappear on May 3, for a preliminary inquiry.