A FEMALE primary school teacher faced a Hamilton court yesterday charged with committing indecent acts with an 11-year-old boy.
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Diane Marie Brimble, 46, of Hamilton, was charged with seven offences including being a person with a duty of care taking action that resulted in a child suffering significant harm and three counts of committing indecent acts.
She has also been charged with using a carriage service (telecommunications devices) to procure a child aged under 16 years, to groom a child and to indecently communicate with a child.
Police told the magistrate that Ms Brimble formed a relationship with the boy between January 1 this year and April 14.
The matter was reported to police mid last month by the boy's mother and Ms Brimble was arrested last week.
The charges allege that Ms Brimble kissed the boy, stroked the back of his neck and hugged him.
Police do not believe a sexual relationship developed.
Warrnambool police sexual offences and child abuse investigation team unit commander Chris Asenjo said due to the circumstances surrounding the case police had acted quickly but investigations were continuing.
Detective Sergeant Asenjo said police were still examining Facebook and messages sent between the accused and the young victim.
He said police did not believe the boy had been physically harmed, but claimed there had been a psychological and emotional impact.
"I'm certainly limited in what can be said because this matter is still before the court," he said.
An Education Department spokesman said Ms Brimble had been suspended from teaching. In a court filing hearing, magistrate Belinda Wallington set a police brief service date of February 8 with a committal mention hearing scheduled for March 17.
Ms Brimble had her bail extended and will reappear in court again on March 17. She appeared in court yesterday with three other women supporting her.
