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This is the first day of the hearing for Wi Derek Huata
in the Napier High Court.
Huata is accused of assaulting children
at TKKM o Ngati Kahungunu ki Heretaunga
while a teacher there in 2008. Irena Smith has this report.
Wi Derek Huata is up on 14 charges -
10 for assault on a child and 2 for assault using a weapon.
The Crown alleges Wi Derek Huata assaulted children
at TKKM o Ngati Kahungunu ki Heretaunga
between January and December 2008
while he was a teacher at the school.
The assault ranges from ear pulling kicking students
and using a ruler and chair.
Huata has pleaded not guilty on all charges.
The jury today heard from witnesses who were students of the school
who allege Derek Huata assaulted them.
The judge denied our application to film in Court
because the case involved children
and children are being called as witnesses in court.
The trial is expected to last three days
and the jury will give their verdict by the end of the week.
Irena Smith, Te Karere.