Contest set for retired teacher who denies sex assault on child

A CONTEST date has been fixed in the case of a retired music teacher who denies a charge of sexually assaulting a female child.

David Baxter (65), of Killadeas Road, Lisnarick, is accused of sexually touching a child, aged under 13, on an unknown date between February 1 and April 30, 2018.

When the allegations came to light, Baxter stood down as musical director of Omagh Music Society (OMS).

No details surrounding the circumstances of the alleged offending were disclosed during the short hearing at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.

A defence barrister entered a not guilty plea on the defendant’s behalf after which District Judge Alana McSorley ordered him to appear for a contested hearing on December 18.

Baxter, the former teacher and Head of Music at Erne Integrated College, Enniskillen retired in 2019.

He served as Northern Ireland President of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT).

A spokesperson for OMS said, “The committee are aware of information in the public domain concerning musical director Dr David Baxter, He has agreed to step down from his role until further notice and alternative arrangements have been put in place.”