Durham head teacher Anne Lakey "exploited" boy for sex, court hears

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A head teacher with a "glittering career" groomed a vulnerable teenage boy and used him for her sexual gratification, a court has heard.

Anne Lakey, 54, from Stanley, County Durham, denies charges of indecency and indecent assault during the late 1980s.

She was married while the boy was 13 when the alleged offences started, Durham Crown Court was told on Tuesday.

Caroline Goodwin, prosecuting, said it was "predatory behaviour" and amounted to a "gross breach of trust".

The complainant had been among a group of teenage boys who would visit Mrs Lakey's home as her husband was friendly with young people, the court heard.

'Sexual monster'

Mrs Lakey "exploited the vulnerability and immaturity" of the teenager and "flattered him and paid attention to him", Miss Goodman said.

They had sex while he was wearing his school uniform, the jury was told.

Miss Goodwin said the relationship ended when the boy became too scared of being caught by Mrs Lakey's husband,

The court was told the complainant came forward two years ago after seeing a comment by Mrs Lakey on the internet saying she wanted "to give young people the best start in life".

He expressed his concern she was working with children, especially boys, and called her a "disgusting sexual monster" who had badly affected how he had turned out.

When arrested Mrs Lakey told police the complainant had been a "troubled young man" and "generally obnoxious", Miss Goodwin said.

She said there was no truth in the allegations, which were "just fantasy", she added.

Mrs Lakey denies four counts of indecency with a child under 14 and five counts of indecent assault against a child under 16, all relating to the same boy.

The trial continues.