Strict bail conditions have been imposed by the ACT Magistrates Court on a former Canberra teacher accused of alleged child sexual abuse, dating back to the 1990s.

David Dempsey, 67, faces a total of eight charges, including three counts of indecency and five counts of rape.

Mr. Dempsey was initially summoned for the charges against him, but prosecutors took the unusual step of requesting his release on bail, so that he would have to comply with conditions.

These include not going near schools or being around children without an adult present, as well as staying away from their alleged victim.

The court heard Mr Dempsey also faces charges in New South Wales.

His lawyer, Peter Woodhouse, told the court he had stopped teaching in 2023 and had his Vulnerable People Work card canceled.

The court heard Mr Dempsey had recently been charged in NSW when he went on trial for tutoring without a valid card and was also on bail there.

Magistrate Ian Temby told the court he had to accept there was a risk.

“The particular risk comes from the fact that the bail review form indicates that the accused continued to have one-on-one contact with vulnerable people,” Magistrate Temby said.

The court heard Mr Dempsey was now in Sydney.

His case will be back in court in January.