A married English teacher and safeguarding lead at a secondary school in Cornwall allegedly had sex with a 16-year-old pupil in his car and at her home while her father was away, a court has heard.
John Harvey, 51, who was an assistant head teacher at Penryn College, is said to have formed a relationship with the girl while she was still a student – and gone on to have sexual intercourse with her on multiple occasions.
He is now standing trial at Truro Crown Court, accused of two counts of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust – charges he denies.
The court was told on Monday that although the girl was above the normal age of consent, the law sets stricter rules when a teacher is involved with a pupil – and in this case, the sexual relationship was illegal.
Nigel Wraith, prosecuting, told the jury that Harvey had taken advantage of his position to begin an inappropriate relationship with the girl, which allegedly took place outside school, including in his car and at her home when her father was away.
He explained that while the general age of sexual consent is 16, that rises to 18 in cases involving adults in positions of trust, such as teachers.
He said: ‘A middle age teacher having sex with a 16-year-old pupil is an offence.’
John Harvey, 51, who was an assistant head teacher at Penryn College, is said to have formed a relationship with the girl while she was still a student
Penryn College. He is now standing trial at Truro Crown Court, accused of two counts of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust – charges he denies
The jury heard that the teenager had been ‘in love’ with Harvey, who told her to keep the relationship secret because he was married with children – and feared losing his job and being sent to prison if anyone found out.
The prosecution said the relationship continued even after the girl left Penryn College and began attending Truro College. There were reportedly two pregnancy scares, and the pair kept in contact via text messages even after the relationship began to fizzle out.
Mr Wraith told the court the relationship came to light only after the girl confided in a friend.
At first, she had been reluctant to speak out, feeling embarrassed about her involvement and not wanting Harvey to get into trouble.
But her friends grew increasingly concerned and decided to report the situation to Devon and Cornwall Police – fearing other pupils could also be at risk.
Harvey was later arrested and interviewed. He told police that he completely denied the accusations and claimed the alleged incidents were simply ‘a figment of her imagination.’
The jury heard that the case centres not on whether the relationship was forced – but whether Harvey abused his position of power as a teacher and safeguarding lead.
The trial continues.
