A local high school teacher accused of sex charges against a former student has pleaded not guilty.

Thirty-eight-year-old Noel Strapp is charged with sexual exploitation, or touching a young person for a sexual purpose, and sexual assault.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between 2014 and 2016.

Strapp has been suspended since the charges were laid in 2019. In provincial court this morning the trial dates were confirmed for October 26 to November 5.

Meanwhile, the trial for another St. John’s high school teacher accused of sex offences is scheduled to start around the same time.

Thirty-four-year-old Krysta Grimes has also pleaded not guilty to sexually exploitation of a student in 2018. Her jury trial in Supreme Court was delayed due to COVID-19 but is now scheduled for November.