AN ASSISTANT headteacher who has been charged with alleged sexual offences involving children has appeared in court.
As previously reported in The News, Matthew Hill, 38, who taught at Lyndhurst Junior School in North End, has been charged with six offences by police.
Five counts relate to making indecent images of children.
None relates to children at the school in Crofton Road.
Initially the sixth was engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child at Buckland Park Adventure Playground in Malins Road, Buckland, where he was a regular volunteer.
Hill appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court today, when that charge was amended to one of outraging public decency.
Detectives said there is no allegation of sexual assault.
They said there was no suggestion of physical contact or that the child had been touched.
Hill, who lives in the North End area of Portsmouth, has been suspended from his role at Lyndhurst School.
He previously appeared before magistrates on Boxing Day and was bailed to an address in Fareham.
One of the conditions to his bail was not to enter Portsmouth, unless a prior appointment was made.
At today’s hearing, this was amended so Hill could not enter Portsea Island.
Hill is due to appear before magistrates on Wednesday, April 3.
Witnesses, or anyone with information, is asked to call Hampshire Constabulary, on 101, quoting Operation Barbet.