EVIDENCE emerging in court where a general worker at Walela Primary School in Chipata is accused of s*xually assaulting a 21-year-old Grade Four deaf pupil suggests that the two had an intimate relationship.

A witness in the case, sergeant Grace Kakyofwa, told Chipata resident magistrate Mercy Chabu that although the matter was initially reported to police as rape, it appears the two had a relationship going on.

The court learnt that the duo used sign language to communicate whenever they wanted to have sex. Friday Phiri, 26, of Walela Township, is facing one count of indecent assault.

This is after he offered a lift to the pupil on his bicycle last May and lured her into an unfinished building where he indecently assaulted her.