Supreme Court to hear appeal by former teacher facing charges of gross indecency against a male pupil

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by a former school teacher concerning the constitutionality of his proposed prosecution on charges of gross indecency against a male pupil over a two year period from 1978-80, allegedly beginning when the boy was aged almost 16.

The court granted leave to appeal on the issue whether consent of both parties is an essential ingredient of the offence of gross indecency under Section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885.