Retired teacher charged with sex assault on child

A RETIRED music teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting a female child.

David Baxter (65), of Killadeas Road, Lisnarick, county Fermanagh, 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).

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.”

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

A defence barrister requested some time to consult with Baxter as to how he intends to plead.

District Judge Alana McSorley adjourned the case until September 23.

An application for Legal Aid was refused.

Baxter, a former teacher and Head of Music at Erne Integrated College, Enniskillen, retired in 2019. He also served as Northern Ireland President of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT).