The case against a swimming instructor accused of assaulting and raping pupils has opened at a court in Den Bosch.

Swimming teacher Benno L. (surname withheld) is suspected of having indecentely assaulted at least 98 girls and of possessing and distributing child pornography. Last week the prosecutor also accused him of raping an underage girl.

No immediate developments are expected, the first court session being little more than a formal opening of the case. Benno L. made a statement in court offering his apologies, but did not specify what he was apologising for. His lawyer is demanding his immediate release, saying that his client has already been convicted by the media and the justice system without any proof. Police are still sifting through the pornographic material found on the teacher's computers, and say it will take until the end of December before everything has been checked.

Many parents of Benno L's pupils are expected at the court, which has set aside two viewing rooms equipped with video screens for people who want to follow the proceedings over the coming weeks.

Benno L. specialised in giving swimming training to children with social or mental handicaps, and worked at several pools in the southern Dutch city of Den Bosch. He was arrested in June after a computer repairman he called in had found suspicious material on his harddisk and reported his discovery to the police.