Vernon

Photo: Contributed - File photo:CHBC

Deborah Ashton

Deborah Ashton the former Vernon teacher and vice principal accused of having sexual relations with a student was slated to be in a Kelowna court room Tuesday, for a Pre-trial conference.

Ashton is slated to be tried for a second time on February 6 in Vernon by a Supreme Court Judge only, after her first trial a year ago ended in a hung jury.

When the new trial starts next week, Ashton will also face two new charges of perjury.

In the first trial the Crown was trying to prove Ashton, who has two children, had approximately 200 encounters with the victim, many involving intercourse.

Ashton calls the allegations against her 'ridiculous',  adding that a member of the original jury knew her ex-husband, but did not disclose that information.

Twenty witnesses testified over the course of the two week trial back in 2011. Some of the same witnesses will be called back to testify in the new trial.