Indonesia Jails Canadian Teacher For Child Sex Abuse

A Canadian teacher has been found guilty of assault and child sexual abuse and sentenced to 10 years in jail by an Indonesian court, while his Indonesian assistant remains on trial for the same charges.

Gasps could be heard as the verdict was read out in a court room packed with parents and teachers from the Jakarta Intercultural School on Thursday, where the incidents against three children are alleged to have taken place.

Throughout the trial Neil Bantleman has vigorously protested his innocence and has been strongly supported by the school community, many of whom claim the allegations of child abuse against him and his teaching assistant Ferdinand Tjiong are unfounded.

The defence have suggested a $125m lawsuit filed by one of the victims’ mothers against the Jakarta-based school is the true motivation behind the case – an accusation denied by the prosecution.

In his closing remarks the teacher said he would appeal the decision arrived at by the three judge panel at South Jakarta District Court – a statement greeted by applause and raucous cheers.

“We will fight until the truth comes out,” Bantleman added, as he was lead away, surrounded by journalists and prison guards.

The trial of Tjiong is continuing at the same court.