DISGRACED TEACHER: Charles Harter has admitted indecently assaulting young girls from a Hawke’s Bay school.
Charles Harter, was sentenced in Napier District Court this afternoon by Judge David Cameron.
Harter, 63, a teacher for more than 40 years, last month pleaded guilty to nine representative charges of sexual conduct with a child under 12 between February 1 and July 21 this year.
Judge Cameron noted a probation report found Harter had attempted to transfer some of the blame for his offending on his victims.
The judge said he had read all victim impact statements, which made it clear Harter had undermined the trust of many.
Parents of the victims were in court and watched Harter as he stood motionless in the dock while the judge read a summary of his offending.
The victims were nine girls aged between eight and 12.
Harter was a part-time drama and music teacher at Havelock North Primary School from October 2012 until June this year.
He was teaching music, mathematics and drama from his home until his arrest after two of his victims informed their parents of his offending in late July.
Crown lawyer Rebecca Guthrie said Harter's offending was "repetitive and predatory" against nine vulnerable victims and the lasting effects may not be known for some time.
Harter's lawyer Tony Snell said Harter accepted he would get a prison sentence.
Snell said Harter was a "high achiever" who had suffered depression his whole life.
He had been deeply affected by the death of his ex-wife in the Carterton hot ballon tragedy in 2012.
Snell said Harter was remorseful and "deeply saddened by the harm he has caused".
Harter has also taught in other Hawke's Bay schools, as well as in Masterton and at Hutt Valley High School.
Harter would tickle his victim's breasts and grab their crotches on top of their clothing, and would carry on lessons as if nothing happened, the police summary states.
One girl kept attending lessons until she could not cope any longer.
She broke down and told her mother she did not want to practise the guitar any more and told her about Harter's behaviour.
Her mother immediately stopped her daughter's lessons and contacted police.
Harter also patted girls' bottoms while hugging them after group classes held at the school.
Harter admitted all the offending when interviewed by police.
The school successfully applied to have Harter's name suppression lifted after he was charged in August.
Harter has taught in several schools and written and directed numerous musicals, as well as plays for youths.
He taught mathematics at Hutt Valley High School for many years.
In 1982, Harter founded the Wellington-based Shoe String Theatre Company, which has won national awards in festivals of drama with his works.
In 2001, his script The Magic and the Madness won best script, best production of a New Zealand play and the technical and design and best overall production awards at the New Zealand Theatre Federation's One-Act Play Festival.
- The Dominion Post
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