A TEACHER from Exeter has pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual touching of a 16-year-old schoolgirl.

Ryan Leverton, who used to teach at Bishop Fox’s School, is accused of abusing his position of trust with a girl who was aged 16 at the time of the offence.

Mr Leverton appeared at Taunton Crown Court last Wednesday (August 13) for a plea and case management hearing where he entered his not guilty pleas.

The pleas from the 31-year-old now mean the case will go to trial.

Prosecuting, Sean Brunton asked Recorder Martin Meeke to set a trial date for March 10 next year.

The trial is expected to last four days.

Mr Leverton, of Sweet Brier Lane in Exeter, was released on bail under the condition that he must not contact the girl or any witnesses.

After Mr Leverton’s first hearing in June, Paul Scutt, head teacher at Bishop Fox’s School said: “The matter relating to a former employee of the school is currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.”