A science teacher from Bexleyheath is standing trial accused of grooming and raping a schoolgirl who was his student. Darlington Nuwertey, 32, who taught at Oasis Academy Silvertown in Newham, east London, faces nine counts of rape and one count of abusing a position of trust by engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 16 or above.
During evidence given at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Nuwertey described the relationship as “loving and consensual,” saying he believed the girl was 18. He told the court the pair communicated regularly through Telegram and Snapchat using disappearing messages, and he denied any sexual contact took place while he was working at the school with her.
Teacher's account of the relationship
Nuwertey said: "She was hiding it from her parents, I was hiding it from my wife, it was mutual." He claimed that after teaching her, the girl contacted him to say she was actually 18 and her parents had “altered her birth certificate.”
He admitted to lying to police about the nature of their relationship, initially claiming it was purely professional. Nuwertey added: “I didn’t know” that as her “former teacher” the relationship would be illegal.
Prosecution's allegations
The girl, who cannot be named, told the court she was 15 and about to turn 16 when she became aware of Nuwertey’s unwanted attention. She has described multiple instances of rape, including while she was still his student at school.
Richard Barrington, prosecuting, said: "This wasn’t a romantic relationship, this was the product of you having successfully groomed a schoolgirl."
Trial ongoing
Nuwertey, of Bexleyheath, south London, denies the charges. The trial continues.
