A SCHOOLTEACHER has been charged with five counts of abusing his position of trust by engaging in sexual activity with a teenage girl.

Matthew Ingram, who taught at Royal Grammar School (RGS) Worcester, also faces one charge of making an indecent photograph of the 16-year-old girl.

The 24-year-old, of Roman Road, Bethnal Green, London, gave no indication of his plea to the six charges when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday.

Three of the charges relate to him sexually touching her, another relates to causing or inciting her to engage in sexual activity and another to intentionally causing or inciting her to watch a sexual act.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place between Saturday, March 1, and Thursday, May 1, last year.

Ingram is charged with three counts of sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 17. The charges allege he abused an adult position of trust and touched the girl sexually.

He is also charged that while in a position of trust he caused or incited sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 17 and caused her to watch a sexual act. He will appear at Worcester Crown Court on Monday, June 8.

Ingram was granted bail on condition that he did not contact the girl directly or indirectly or have contact with any other pupil from Royal Grammar School Worcester except in the presence of a parent or guardian or with permission of social services.

John Pitt, headmaster at RGS Worcester, said: “The school has worked closely with the police and local authority throughout the investigation.

“They have both confirmed that the school followed entirely the appropriate course of action in regard to its safeguarding policies, which they have described as robust.”

He confirmed that Mr Ingram no longer worked at the school and that he could make no further comment while the case remained within the legal process.