Teaching assistant rejects sex assault claims

A teaching assistant accused of sexual assault against a teenage pupil told police investigating the claims that they were ridiculous.

Married father-of-two David Singh, 55, was questioned about the allegations back in November 2013 and during interviews with the police he rejected claims that he had put his hands on the hips of a teenage girl and held her breasts.

The complainant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has alleged that Singh touched her breast on a number of occasions during classes at a Calderdale school.

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Singh, of Platnam Grove, Huddersfield, has denied three sample charges of sexual assault and today (Tusday) a jury at Bradford Crown Court heard how he described himself as “a friendly guy” who had a fantastic rapport with students.

Singh accepted that he had offered mints to pupils and gave them pens when they did not have one, but insisted that he would do that with everyone and said he may have been too generous.

The defendant was questioned by police after the complainant and another girl reported their concerns to a member of staff, but Singh maintained that he had only touched the second girl’s hair when he was complimenting her on how smart she looked.

He said it was “crazy” to suggest there was any sexual motive behind touching her hair.

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When quizzed about the complainant’s allegations Singh said he had never held her breast and the claim was completely untrue.

During his own evidence to the jury Singh accepted that giving sweets to children may have been unprofessional with hindsight, but said it was the kind of guy he was.

“Did you touch (either girl) with any sexual motive at all,” asked his barrister Steven Crossley.

“Never ever,” said Singh.

“I couldn’t dream of it never mind do it...it’s nonsense.”

The trial continues.