Trial Begins for Former Darwin Teacher Charged with Causing Serious Harm

A trial has commenced in the Northern Territory Supreme Court for a former Darwin Middle School teacher who has pleaded not guilty to one count of causing serious harm. The charge relates to a 2024 classroom incident where a female student sustained a fracture to her front teeth.

Legal Proceedings and Charge

Darroch Robinson, a former teacher at Darwin Middle School (now Darwin High School), entered a plea of not guilty to one count of causing serious harm. The trial began on Monday with opening statements presented to the jury by the Crown prosecutor and the defence lawyer. The trial is scheduled to continue on Tuesday.

Background of the Incident

According to information presented in court, the incident occurred in 2024 at Darwin Middle School. Crown prosecutor Brandon Bodel stated that the teacher had confiscated a student's mobile phone after she was using it during class. The student later returned to the school to collect the phone.

Conflicting Accounts Presented in Court

The prosecution and defence presented differing versions of the events that led to the student's injury.

• Crown prosecutor Brandon Bodel told the jury the alleged strike was a deliberate action delivered in anger during an argument over the phone.
• The prosecution stated the student's evidence would be that she asked for her phone back and, after being refused, asked the teacher, "Are you dumb?"
• The Crown alleges the teacher then swung his forearm or elbow, striking the student in the mouth. The prosecution contends the force knocked the student onto a table and then to the ground.
• The Crown argues the fracture to the student's front teeth was caused by this alleged blow.
• The prosecution stated that two other student witnesses are expected to testify that they saw the teacher strike the girl.
• The Crown also stated the student would testify that after being hit, she said, "you've ruined my life," and the teacher responded, "I don't care."

The prosecution alleges the strike was a deliberate action delivered in anger during an argument over a confiscated phone.

• Defence lawyer Peter Maley told the jury his client did not intend to hit the student, describing the incident as an accident.
• The defence stated the teacher was in a busy classroom dealing with misbehaving students when the student, who was behind him, used insulting words.
• According to the defence, the teacher turned around quickly and his elbow or forearm made contact with the student. The defence stated the student then stumbled, hit a desk, fell to the ground, and chipped her teeth.
• The defence argued that for a conviction, the Crown must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the teacher intended both the strike and the resulting harm.
• Defence lawyer Peter Maley stated on his client's behalf, "He didn't mean it and he is sorry."

The defence contends the contact was accidental, stating the teacher turned around quickly and his elbow made contact with the student.

Next Steps

The trial is scheduled to resume on Tuesday in Darwin.