A 29-year-old drama teacher accused of molesting a 14-year-old female student was granted $300,000 bail in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The teacher who works at a high school in St Catherine is said to have carnal knowledge of the schoolgirl who was under his control in class.

Family members became suspicious after a senior relative of the child observed how late she was coming from school. This prompted the elder to do her own investigations, which revealed that the teacher was having sex with her.

As a result, the matter was reported to the school's guidance counsellor and following a meeting with the teacher, the police were summoned and he was charged with carnal abuse.

Defence attorney Earle Ham-ilton, in applying for bail, told the court that "it was a moment of weakness, Your Honour, he was misguided and had a clouded judgement that seems to allow him to be overcome with drama".

RM Simone Maddix granted bail on condition that he does not interfere with the child and he return to court on August 19.