gave evidence against her former teacher, who faces two charges of sexual assault and one count of intruding on the privacy of a girl.

For legal reasons, neither the defendant nor the complainants in the case can be named.

The charges stem from incidents alleged to have taken place at a school in 1996.

The teacher, who was suspended from duty and is now unemployed, was yesterday accused of brushing his fingers against a student's breasts. According to the girl, she went to her teacher's desk to get help with her work. She was wearing her school uniform, a collared shirt with three buttons and a skirt.

She said she leant on her teacher's desk, and as she did so a necklace she was wearing slipped out of the front of her shirt. "I put the necklace back and he leaned across, put his hand inside my shirt and brushed his fingers on my breasts before grabbing the necklace, pulling it out and saying, `eh, eh, that's nice.' '' According to the witness, the alleged incident took place during a class, when there were many students present. She said she didn't scream out or say anything at the time because, "I didn't think it could have been intentional.'' The trial is taking place in front of Magistrate Mr. Edward King who earlier in the day heard legal arguments from defence lawyer Richard Hector, and prosecutor Phillip Storr.

The teacher was originally charged in May, and was due for trial in August.

When the case was adjourned last month due to the unavailability of witnesses, he was facing seven counts, two for sexual assault and five charges of intruding on the privacy of girls in such a manner as to insult, alarm or offend them.

Four of the charges have been dropped for various legal reasons and it is believed the remaining counts against the teacher involve three teenagers.

The case resumes today.