(Trinidad Express) Fifty-two-year-old father of five, David Smith, has been placed on TT$400,000 bail with surety clerk of the peace approval.
The former principal of a primary school in Tobago appeared in the Scarborough Magistrates’ Court yesterday on 14 sexual offence charges.
Smith was not called upon to plead as the charges were indictable.
The 14 sex charges were a combination of indecent assault and serious indecency, which occurred between 2012 and 2013.
The incidents allegedly occurred on the school compound.
Smith was represented by attorney Anthony Arnold, who requested the court grant bail in the matter, since Smith was a father of five, married and it was his first offence.
The prosecution agreed to bail and Smith was granted TT$400,000 bail with surety, clerk of the peace approval, but with limitations:
1. Report to the Roxborough Police Station Mondays and Thursdays, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
2. He is ordered to stay away from the alleged victims.
3. No direct or indirect communication with any of the alleged victims, by telephone, Internet or through a third party.
WPC Parks and Moore are the complaints in the matter which was adjourned to March 10.
Education Secretary Gary Melville met with representatives of the school’s administration on the way forward.
The vice-principal is now in charge.
Smith, who was placed on suspension when the allegations were made, was arrested on Friday at his home by police officials.
His arrest came following reports of sexual misconduct by four girls who also attend the school. The ages of the girls range between ten and 12 years.
