child grooming charge – Michmutters
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Australia

Teacher Ammy Singleton has child grooming charges dropped at South Australian court

A female South Australian relief teacher accused of grooming a boy for sex has had the case against her dropped.

Ammy Singleton, 28, was charged with communicating to make a child amenable to sexual activity in Port Augusta last year.

But at Port Augusta Magistrates Court on Wednesday, the court was told the complainant did not wish to proceed with the case, The Advertiser reports.

Ms Singleton did not comment to media as she left the courtroom.

The offending was alleged to have occurred against a 16-year-old male between November 1 and 30, 2021.

Her lawyer Alexander Hosking had previously told the court the alleged victim had come into contact with his client through a chat room.

The court was also told the allegations had nothing to do with Ms Singleton’s job as a teacher.

Ms Singleton, who worked as a relief teacher at multiple schools in the Port Augusta area, was arrested and charged in December.

Two schools sent letters to parents confirming she had briefly worked at the campuses but stressed the charges did not involve any students at the school and there was “no need” for any concern.

Ms Singleton’s teaching registration was canceled in March this year.

Under South Australian law, the offense of communicating with a child with intent to procure for a sexual activity carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ jail.

Earlier this year, Ms Singleton’s mother claimed her daughter was dragged into a “teen love triangle” after receiving a Snapchat message.

She said Ms Singleton did not even know the youth in question, voicing concern that her daughter would struggle to repay her student loans.

“She will never have a life again, and she’s never done a bad thing to anyone but she’s guilty until proven innocent,” she said at the time.

“She’ll have her day in court, but she will never get her life back and neither will we.”

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