N.C. teacher accused of raping girl

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., Oct. 3 (UPI) -- A 44-year-old middle school teacher in Huntersville, N.C., is facing rape charges for a series of alleged attacks on a 15-year-old girl, authorities say.

Police said the alleged victim of Ranson Middle School physical education teacher Ernest Nichols, 44, was not a student at his Charlotte-Mecklenburg school, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer reported Friday.

"It actually had nothing to do with his job at the school," Huntersville police Lt. Ken Richardson said.

Police said the alleged incidents involving the unidentified teenage girl took place at Nichols' home between last November and this spring.

Richardson said the alleged victim, who is now 16, came forward this week after being advised to do so.

"In this type of case, that's not unusual," Richardson said. "The victim often thinks it was her fault, or that what happened was not wrong."

The Observer said Nichols, who is being held on $810,000 bond, is facing charges of rape, second-degree sex offense, crime against nature, indecent liberties with children, and kidnapping.