four teenage girls.

John Dexter Seaman, 33, of Wellington Back Road, pleaded not guilty on Friday in Magistrates' Court to four charges of knowingly and wilfully causing four girls, on separate occasions, to "become in need of care''.

The charges are contained in the Care and Protection of Children Act. Two of the charges allegedly occurred between January 28 and 31 and the other two between February 6 and 7.

Seaman had to have the charges explained to him by duty counsel Tyrone Chin.

He later told Senior Magistrate Will Francis: "This is all new to me. I'll plead not guilty.'' Prosecutor Sgt. Phil Taylor told Mr. Francis he believed the ages of the girls range between 14 and 17 years old.

Seaman will return to court for trial on September 3. He was bailed for $1,000 and told to have no contact with the girls or witnesses.