Mr Mulcahy was found not guilty on all three counts on January 21, 2022.

THE private school teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student almost a dozen times told court “my whole world ended” when he was informed he would be going to court.

Philip Mulcahy, 58, had to contact police himself for an update on the investigation after only being interviewed once by officers.

Continuing his evidence at his trial at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday, Mulcahy said he broke down in tears with his wife after the arrest, adding: “I know I didn’t do these things.”

Father-of-three Mulcahy is alleged to have indecently touched the girl almost a dozen times over two years while at the Bournemouth Collegiate School. An allegation also relates to a school trip.

The defendant said he “enjoyed” teaching the student but categorically denied singling her out.

Speaking of his arrest, Mulcahy told jurors “it seemed like a dream” and he was trying to remember anything he did that could have been misconstrued by a student, but couldn’t.

He tearfully added: “I got home and all my family were there waiting for me. I remember going with my wife and broke down in tears because I know I didn’t do these things.

“The school came the next day and suspended me. I was angry because I know I had not done anything wrong, I just wanted to get on with my life.”

Mulcahy said he tried his best to assist the police and was never interviewed a second time.

“I put my faith in the police because I trusted them to carry out a proper investigation,” he added.

The defendant told jurors he phoned police to get an update on the case and was told by DC Jo Shewbridge, officer in the case, it was ongoing and he would hear from his solicitor.

He was later told by his solicitor the Crown Prosecution Service were taking the case to court.

“It felt like my whole world had ended. I said I am not guilty, I didn’t do these things,” the defendant said.

Mulcahy said his life had become stressful since he was arrested and described it as a “very difficult time”.

His daughter got married last year and Mulcahy told the jury he wasn’t able to give a speech.

“I was not strong enough to make the usual father’s speech,” he said. “I couldn’t stand up in front of a room with my friends and talk about my family.

“I have spent the last 18 months trying to figure out why me.”

The defendant denies the allegations. The trial continues.