Ballet school teacher on trial over sex attack charges

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, The trial is taking place at Dumbarton Sheriff Court

A ballet teacher has gone on trial accused of carrying out sex attacks on nine teenage students.

Jonathan Barton, 41, is said to have committed the majority of the offences at a ballet school in Argyll and Bute.

The charges span between September 2004 and July 2019. The alleged victims are girls aged between 16 and 18.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard Barton, who has pleaded not guilty, was a teacher "in a position of trust" at the time.

Barton is claimed to have had sex and engaged in sexual activity with a girl aged between 16 and 18.

This is said to have taken place at the school, at a hotel in Stirling and during a car journey between Oban and Campbeltown.

He is alleged to have had sex or engaged in sexual activity with another girl aged between 16 and 17 at the school.

Barton is also alleged to have engaged in sexual activity other than sexual intercourse with a third girl.

The other charges, involving six other girls, involve touching.

The trial before Sheriff William Gallacher continues.