A FORMER science teacher from Colne will appear before a crown court judge on charges of sexual activity with a pupil.

Gareth David Aspey, 29, who worked at Skipton Girls’ High School, faces three charges of sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 17 while in a position of trust.

The offences are alleged to have happened between December 2012 and July last year, away from the school grounds.

On December 19, 2012, he is said to have engaged in sexual touching with the girl and again in March 17 last year.

A third offence of sexual touching is said to have happened in Colne between July 1 and July 31. Aspey, of Alkincoats Road, appeared before Skipton magistrates where he entered no pleas.

Magistrates sent him on bail to Bradford Crown Court for a preliminary hearing this Friday.

The court heard Aspey had worked at the school since September 2008, but resigned last year.

He was granted bail on condition that he must not contact his alleged victim or any current or former pupil of the school under the age of 18, or enter the school or be left unsupervised with any female under 18.