rearraigned next month after his defence team persuaded a Supreme Court judge to allow him to change his plea.

The teacher, of Hamilton Parish, pleaded guilty to the charge -- which dates back to 1993 -- when he appeared in Supreme Court last week.

But his lawyer Michael Scott made a last minute application which Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux initially rejected.

At that time, a summary of the facts was read out and Archibald Warner, who joined the defence team and took over the case, interjected that there was no evidence to support the charge.

The teacher is accused of touching a youth with a sexual purpose in late 1993.

Mr. Justice Meerabux's ruling came after arguments between Mr. Warner and Crown Counsel Wilhelm Bourne over whether the indictment was defective and if the man could change his plea after pleading guilty with the advice of legal counsel.

In the end, Mr. Justice Meerabux acceded to the defence team and set the matter down for mention on April 1. The teacher was released on $2,000 bail.

EDUCATION ED