TEACHER CHARGES MAY BE DROPPED
A RELIEF teacher accused of grooming a child may have the charges against her dropped, a court has heard.
Ammy Singleton, 28, appeared in Port Augusta Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning.
Ms Singleton, of Port Augusta, is charged with one count of communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity.
The offending allegedly involved a 16-year-old male victim between November 1 and 30 last year.
Alexander Hosking, for Ms Singleton, asked magistrate David McLeod for a two-week adjournment while evidence was being reviewed.
“I’ve been advised … that there may be a possibility of this matter not proceeding,” Mr Hosking said.
The court heard the matter was being reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions and other evidence was being looked at by the Child Protection Department.
Mr McLeod adjourned the matter to August, when pleas are expected to be entered.
The court has previously heard Ms Singleton came in contact with the teenager at a sporting club, not a school.
Andrew Fowler-Walker told the court in May that the alleged victim was not taught by Ms Singleton. A suppression order was declined by the magistrate at the time.
Ms Singleton worked as a relief teacher at multiple schools in the town including Port Augusta West Primary School, Augusta Park Primary School and Flinders View Primary School.
She was arrested on December 23, 2021, over the alleged offences.
A person who is found guilty of procuring a child, or making communication with the intention of procuring a child to engage in or submit to sexual activity, faces a maximum jail sentence of 10 years.
Outside court, Ms Singleton – who wore a black face mask and sunglasses and was accompanied by her father – declined to comment to the media.