A former Canterbury physics teacher accused of abusing his position of trust to engage in sexual activity with a female pupil has been granted bail.

Anthony Carlile, who used to work at Barton Court, appeared in custody before city magistrates on Thursday (December 16).

The 28-year-old had just spent a week on remand at HMP Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey after a string of court hearings which he did not attend.

His solicitor Phil Rowley argued that Carlile would attend all his future court hearings.

Carlile no longer works at the mixed grammar school in Longport and now lives at Ock Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

He is accused of one offence - abusing a position of trust to engage in sexual activity with a girl aged 17 contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The charge revolves around events alleged to have taken place in May 2009.

Carlile was granted bail with a raft of conditions including living and sleeping at the Abingdon address, reporting daily to Abingdon police station, not contacting the complainant, wearing a tag and being subject to a curfew between 10pm and 7am.

He is due to appear next at Canterbury Magistrates’ Court on February 3 when the case is due to be committed to the Crown Court.