The 71-year-old made his walk to the courthouse alone and was unsupported in the public gallery while he awaited his time to appear before Magistrate Michael Holmes.

A teacher at Ben Venue Primary School during the 1970s, Berryman was charged with 33 counts of indecent assault on a male after his arrest on May 28.

Berryman was represented by defence lawyer Frank Falcomata, who raised the issue of a non-publication order with Director of Public Prosecutions Sergeant Jodie Westman.

The hint of a gag order was met with a swift response from Magistrate Holmes.

“Why?” he asked Mr Falcomata. 

“I’ll put a non-publication order on the names of the victims.”

“There is no reason there should be a non-publication order on the alleged offender,” Magistrate Holmes said.

“It’s as simple as that.”

Berryman is accused of sexually assaulting 18 boys who were students at Ben Venue during the time of the alleged incidents.

Police will allege that the majority of the assaults occurred on the school grounds between 1970 and 1974.

The accusations came after New England Local Area Command detectives set up Strike Force Flair, with an 18-month investigation preceding the arrest.

Berryman was granted bail following his arrest, and had been reporting to police five times a week. On Monday Berryman’s bail conditions were varied, reducing the number of weekly reports to police to three times per week.

As he left court Berryman was closely shadowed by Mr Falcomata, who shielded him from the view of waiting cameras.

The 71-year-old will next appear in Armidale Local Court on September 9.