Teacher denies affair with teenage pupil

London: A female drama teacher seduced a girl of 13 who turned to her for help after being bullied at their school, a court was told.

Caroline French, 38, allegedly bought alcohol and cigarettes for the girl, a pupil at the secondary school where she was a form tutor.

She was said to have groomed the girl by encouraging her to confide all her troubles in her, and exchanging texts and e-mails with her. By the age of 14, the girl was allegedly sleeping at French's house, where they drank lager and smoked cigarettes.

Engagement ring

It was claimed the teacher gave the confused pupil a "French-style" kiss on one visit. Soon after, the court was told, the relationship became intimate and sexual, and the pupil was made to wear an "engagement ring" on her finger. The relationship is said to have lasted until the girl was 17.

Yesterday French, who claims to be heterosexual, pleaded not guilty to one count of indecency with a child and three counts of indecent assault on a child.

The jury of six men and six women heard the alleged offences took place between September 2002 and April 2004.

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