A former science teacher at Skipton Girls’ High School has been sent to crown court on charges of sexual activity with a pupil.

Gareth David Aspey, 29, faces three charges of sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 17 while in a position of trust, but not on school grounds, between December 2012 and July last year.

On December 19, 2012, he is said to have engaged in sexual touching with the girl and again in March 17 last year. A third offence of sexual touching is said to have happened in Colne between July 1 and July 31.

Aspey, of Alkincoats Road, Colne, appeared at Skipton Magistrates' Court on Friday where he entered no pleas. Magistrates sent him to Bradford Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on Friday, March 7.

The court heard Aspey had worked at the school since September 2008, but had resigned last year.

He was granted bail on condition that he must not contact his alleged victim or any current or former pupil of the school under the age of 18, or enter the school or be left unsupervised with any female under 18.