A FORMER Port Stephens dance studio teacher accused of sexually and indecently assaulting five girls, including four students, has pleaded not guilty and will face a trial in Newcastle District Court.
The former teacher, now 28, appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday where he was committed for trial on seven charges.
Detectives say the alleged offences relate to five girls, aged between 12 and 17, and occurred between 2014 and 2019.
The court heard the DPP was awaiting approval from the Attorney General's Department to lay a charge for an offence that allegedly occurred on a cruise ship in international waters.
The former dance teacher, who remains on bail, will next appear in Newcastle District Court on May 26 to get a trial date.
Investigators established Strike Force Wairakei in March last year to investigate allegations of inappropriate behaviour by a dance teacher towards a number of students at a studio at Port Stephens.
The former teacher was arrested in June.
