"I started to hate life"; those are the words of the alleged victim of a former Otago Boys' High School teacher on trial for indecent assault.
The jury trial continued Dunedin District Court yesterday, a former pupil saying David Russell Bond (68) made his time at the school "a living hell" when he was a teenager.
Bond is standing trial for allegedly groping the complainant between the legs during cricket practice, between October 2007 and March 2008.
The defence is arguing Bond is a "scapegoat" for the man's debilitating health difficulties, after the alleged victim read about his conviction last year for another indecent assault at the school in the late 1990s.
Counsel Anne Stevens QC questioned why the man, now 25, had remained at Otago Boys'.
The man said although he was still there, he started "bailing" on his education and failing his subjects.
He claimed on another occasion Bond went into the maths class where he was and put his hand on his shoulder; his crotch near his face. He said he shouted and swore at the teacher, who told him to go to the principal's office. He again pushed Bond before running away from school.
A former senior member of staff - who the victim said he had tried to complain to immediately following the incident at cricket practice - gave evidence by audiovisual link saying he was confident the man had never come to him, and he would have either informed the police, or conducted an investigation.
The complainant said he was "100%" sure the witness was lying and suggested it was to protect his current position.
Mrs Stevens pointed to discrepancies between the complainant's written statement, in which he claimed to have told other teachers, and his evidence in court when he said he only told one staff member.
While the man claimed he had been told some of his health problems could be psychosomatic in nature, Mrs Stevens also said his notes showed the same medical professional had suggested his use of marijuana could be causing some of his symptoms such as emotional lability and severe stomach issues.
The trial, which began on Wednesday, will continue tomorrow.
