A TEACHER appeared in court today after being charged with six sex offences involving a schoolgirl.

Mark Harrison, aged 48, of Stanley Road, Whitefield appeared before Bury Magistrates Court this morning after being accused of grooming a child for sexual activity, and five counts of sexual activity with a child.

In a short hearing, Harrison, who had formerly been a teacher at St Monica’s High School in Prestwich, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

Harrison was granted bail, which included conditions that he does not have any unsupervised access to children under the age of 18, and that he does not go within 500 metres of St Monica’s High School.

He will appear before Bolton Crown Court on October 11.