Teen felt ‘degraded and belittled’ by former University of New England vice-chancellor, court told

Five witnesses, including the 17-year-old complainant, are expected to give evidence at a hearing which began at the Armidale local court on Tuesday. Photograph: Michael Burge/The Guardian

A teenager who was allegedly assaulted and subjected to offensive behaviour by the former vice-chancellor of the University of New England at an International Women’s Day event last year has told a court that the incident left her feeling “ degraded and belittled”.

Prof Brigid Heywood, 65, a British-Australian biological scientist, is alleged to have wiped her saliva on a teenager’s face and commented on her skin colour at a council-run International Women’s Day event in March 2022. She was a panellist at the event.