A YORK school worker has appeared in court to face charges of sexual behaviour with a teenage girll.

David Thomas Scott, 33, of St George’s Place, York, was a support worker at a secondary school in the city until he was arrested in December 2014.

A letter sent to parents and carers of children at the affected school on Thursday said Scott had been “charged with offences associated with a breach of a position of trust”.

The letter said: “Immediately upon receipt of these allegations Mr Scott was suspended from his employment. Our school and the Local Authority have worked closely with North Yorkshire Police as part of the subsequent investigation. We would like to reassure you that there is no evidence to suggest that your child has been affected by this matter.

“Given this issue is the subject of a criminal investigation I must emphasise the need to avoid speculation or any attempt to identify anyone involved in this ongoing police investigation. Please be aware that identifying individuals could in itself lead to criminal charges or disciplinary procedures. We are sure that you will understand that it is not possible to provide any further details at this stage, however we will update you again once the conclusion of this matter is known.”

Scott was arrested in December 2014, but was not charged until last month. He appeared before York and Selby Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, and did not enter a plea to three charges of alleged sexual activity by inappropriate touching when the girl was in her mid-teens.

He is charged with allegedly inappropriately touching a girl in York between November 1 and November 26 last year; and the same girl on November 27. The third charge relates to allegedly inappropriately touching the girl on November 28 last year. He was released on bail, and is due before York Crown Court this month.

Eoin Rush, City of York Council's assistant director for children’s specialist services, said the school, council and other partners had worked closely with police throughout the investigation, and said: "We would like to reassure the school community that unless anyone has been directly contacted by the authorities, there is currently no evidence to suggest that anyone else has been affected by this matter.”