Teacher charged with raping girl

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A teacher from Greater Manchester has been charged with the rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Matthew Knott, 24, of Isaac Way, Miles Platting, is also accused of sexually grooming the girl, who he is believed to have met on the internet.

The child is not a pupil at Elton High School, a specialist arts college for 11 to 16-year-olds in Bury, where Mr Knott is employed as a teacher.

Mr Knott is due appear at Manchester Crown Court on Friday.

Bury Council confirmed a teacher had been suspended pending the outcome of the police investigation.

A council spokesman said: "We are aware of the case and have been working closely with colleagues from the relevant agencies.

"As there is an ongoing court case, we are unable to discuss the matter further at this stage."