A former high school teacher accused of doing indecent acts on boys has gone on trial in the High Court in Auckland.
Benjy Swann appeared in the High Court in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
Benjamin Christopher Missi Swann, known as Benjy Swann, denies offending against seven boys.
The 55-year-old faces 10 charges of doing an indecent act on a young person; each of which carry a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.
The former high school teacher held a teacher's certificate for three decades and taught at various Auckland schools, the last of which was Ōtāhuhu College.
According to the Education Council's register, he has voluntarily agreed not to keep teaching.
Mr Swann's name was initially suppressed when he first appeared in the Manukau District Court in September 2017 but this was lifted a year later.
This morning a jury of seven women and five men were empanelled before the 10 charges were read aloud to Mr Swann, who pleaded not guilty to each of them.
Crown prosecutor David Stevens will open the case against Mr Swann tomorrow morning.
The trial before Justice Duffy and a jury is set down for three weeks.