Court hears former PMB school counsellor's rights to privacy were violated
A former school counsellor accused of molesting young boys claims his right to privacy was infringed.
Darren Goddard has been charged with rape and sexual assault as well as being in possession of child pornography. He has pleaded not guilty to more than a dozen charges.
Goddard's trial resumed in the Pietermaritzburg High Court this morning.
He was arrested in 2016, with the trial getting underway at the beginning of the year after several bail applications.
Proceedings have moved slowly to date and are still at a 'trial within a trial' stage. Goddard has challenged the admissibility of some of the evidence against him.
Today, he told the court about privileged correspondence intended for his legal team being seized from the rooms of a psychologist he had seen while being detained prior to his being released on bail.
Goddard is currently being cross-examined by the State.
The Pietermaritzburg community became enraged when the allegations against him first emerged.
The KwaZulu-Natal Education Department met with parents of children at the school just over two years ago. The school's governing body said at the time that it was shocked and naturally concerned for the safety of the children.
Earlier today, concerned community members gathered outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
They held placards demanding that alleged sex offenders be denied bail. One protestor held a sign reading: "Remove sex offenders from society! Protect our women and children."
Another read: "Protect out children. Jail Sex offenders."
Other protestors were more direct, calling for convicted rapists to receive the death penalty.