A FORMER Nambucca High School principal has been cleared of indecent assault allegations against a young girl.
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Hilton Humphries walked free yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) from Moree Local Court after he was acquitted of two counts following a two-day hearing.
Throughout the hearing a number of witnesses were called to give evidence including the alleged victim, her mother, father, friend, friends of the family, school workers and Mr Humphries himself.
Magistrate Greg Grogin dismissed both the indecent assault charges after evidence from numerous witnesses and the accused.
“I’m not satisfied the offence occurred,” Magistrate Grogin told the court late yesterday.
The two indecent assault allegations were voiced by DPP solicitor Johnathan May on Tuesday where the court heard the complainant had said Mr Humphries exposed himself and hugged the 11-year-old girl before moving his hands from her head to her buttocks.
Mr Humphries did not say anything to media as he left yesterday but several supporters embraced him when he exited the courtroom.
The 60-year-old, who has maintained his innocence throughout the case, took the stand yesterday and denied the allegations but admitted he had a close relationship with the young girl and had teased her on the day in question, telling her he was the only one allowed to give her flowers.
When asked of his intention, Humphries said, “it was just to have fun; I’d often do that.”
Humphries told the court the young girl was on the other side of the desk when he stood up to give her a tissue.
He admitted she became upset as a result of the teasing.
“I said sorry, here have a tissue, and passed her one,” he said.
Under repeated questioning from Mr May, Mr Humphries denied allegations he was exposing himself when he went to give her a hug.
“That is not true,” he told the court.
A number of witnesses took the stand yesterday on the second day of the hearing including the father of the young girl, a school administrative assistant, as well as the mother of a friend of the alleged victim.
In closing submissions, Mr May said the young girl’s evidence was consistent during many hours of cross examination and she was not shaken.
He said Mr Humphries had made a “very powerful” threat to the girl if she told anyone what had allegedly occurred and the girl’s evidence was consistent with the complaint made to her mother on December 24 last year.
But the defence argued the evidence had to be rejected.
A solicitor said Mr Humphries had told no lies, was consistent in cross-examination and was not afraid to admit he had a close relationship with the young girl.
In dismissing the charges, Magistrate Grogin said the young girl had shown her capability to lie on different occasions as well as her ability to manipulate situations.
Mr Humphries remains before the court on separate charges of aggravated sexual abuse.