Masseur Sentenced For Molesting "Attractive" Female Client

A respected massage therapist, who acted out a “pornographic fantasy” when molesting a young professional woman two decades his junior, has avoided prison with a suspended sentence.

Masseur Graham Stannard, 47, repeatedly touched the “attractive” half-naked 25 year-old woman between her legs, claiming he was encouraged by her moans of pleasure.

However, the woman insists she did not consent and her involuntary moans were a response to Stannard massaging her painful sciatica - caused by an irritated nerve.

Uniquely Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Judge John Lodge ordered Stannard to pay £600 towards the victim’s twenty-three private psychotherapy sessions she needed after he molested her.

“It is hard to imagine a grosser abuse of trust than a woman on a massage table, in a position vulnerability, expecting to receive therapy and instead becoming a victim of abuse,” the judge told first-time offender Stannard.

“The generosity of spirit of your victim, who should have nothing but contempt for you, is reflected in her victim impact statement where she says: ‘I hope the man is provided with the professional tools needed to address his behaviour and prevent any further assaults.’

“It is impossible in a case of sexual violation to seek to place a monetary value on it. It diminishes the gross violation of these offences, but the victim has sought to have therapy and that has cost her.”

The jury rejected Stannard’s claim he honestly believed the woman was consenting and unanimously found him guilty of two counts of sexual assault. 

“That was the bizarre thing about the trial,” added Judge Lodge. “That he had a reasonable belief there was consent, which the jury understandably rejected.”

Stannard, of Fleetwood Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, received twenty-one months imprisonment, suspended for two years and must complete 35 days of the Horizon sex offenders programme and up to 30 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

The trial heard Stannard, the boss of Healing Zen Massage and a practitioner of Zen-Su deep release massage had a therapy room in a beauty salon in Bedford Hill, Balham, south London.

After reading his positive online reviews the woman, who has a high-pressure desk job, booked an appointment to receive a massage on August 2, 2020.

The jury viewed her recorded police statement in which she said: “When I removed my mask he said: ‘Wow. You’ve got such a lovely smile,’ and I thought that was the first thing out of place.”

She stripped-down to her knickers and lied face-down on the massage table as Stannard began. “He said: ‘It’s really nice you are making those noises. I’d like to hear more of them’.

“They were just the normal noises of a massage,” she told the trial, explaining Stannard put his hand between her legs after massaging her hip area.

“He just went for it and touched me four times or something, quite hard under my knickers so it was not a mistake.

“I went completely quiet. I always thought in a situation like that I’d be shouty and tell him to: ‘F*** off,’ but I just completely froze.

“I started moving my bum and hips away, but it didn’t deter him and I thought: ‘What the f***?’

“I thought: ‘F***, he’s going to do it again,’ and this time he really went for it.

“He asked me to turn over. I was topless and he looked stoked, so happy with eyes wide open, buzzing.

“He said: ‘You’ve got such an amazing body,’ he was ecstatic and said he was going to do my front and I thought he would do something worse.”

She said Stannard hastily concluded the massage then tried to discuss it with her. “He was close to my face and from then it was just creepy.

“He returned after ten minutes and he was like: ‘God, that was amazing. Maybe I can take you out to dinner and do a massage after that.’

“He gave me a hug and was going to try and kiss me and I left and called my boyfriend and burst into tears and told him what happened.

“I was sitting on the kerb, breathing heavily, it was horrible. I walked around for twenty minutes dry heaving and had a bath when I got home because I had oil all over me and wanted to get it off.”

She then received a text from Stannard, which read: ‘Lovely to see you. Let me know about home massage.’

Today, prosecutor Warwick Tatford told the court: “This defendant was working as a provider of massage services within a hairdresser’s and a booking was made online by the woman.

“The defendant appeared to have a sexual attraction towards her and commented on her smile, which she thought was strange and while on her front her touched her above her knickers and then twice skin on skin.”

During the trial the prosecutor told the jury: “No doubt his regular clients think good of him, but he gave into sexual temptation that day when he gave a massage to this twenty-five year-old lady, an attractive lady as you will see in the video. 

“He just fancied her and couldn’t resist sexually assaulting her. It was quite a forceful massage and she made noises when he hit a painful spot. 

“She talks about moaning, but not with a sexual meaning. He started imitating what she was saying, like it was turning into some sort of pornographic fantasy.

“The defendant seems to have been caught up in the excitement of it all and acting out a sexual pleasure.

“He told the officers he was sexually aroused and had crossed the line. That’s quite close to admitting sexual assault and he says he got carried away in the moment and that it felt consensual.”

When cross-examined the woman was asked about the noises she made and said it was “wrong” to conclude she was “aroused” during the massage.

She was asked why she did not ask Stannard to stop, replying: “It happened so quickly, I was in shock. I didn’t know what to say.”

Additionally, the woman was questioned as to whether moving her bum and hips could be “misconstrued” as joining in with the sexual behaviour. 

Stannard’s lawyer John Livingston told the court: “This is a man who is generally a kind and sensitive individual. This was out of character behaviour, crossing the line of professionalism in his line of work, which he has been doing for a number of years.

“This is the only incident of any complaint and the woman researched before booking the massage and the results indicated he was good at his job and helped a lot of people.

“It seems to have been an isolated incident of losing his proper professional judgement and now he is very remorseful about it.”

However, in his Probation Service interview Stannard repeated his claim he believed the woman was genuinely sexually aroused. 

“That may be the result of extreme embarrassment of what he did and his remorse,” added Mr Livingston. “The chances of his reoffending are low and going through the trial process has been traumatic.

“He has learned a very big lesson in the harshest possible way and has no intention of risking repeating any sort of offending.

“He had to stop his massage work. That has not been feasible since the start of this case and he is now a delivery driver for Uber Eats.”

Judge Lodge concluded: “The work of Horizon and the rehabilitation activity requirement will provide a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and reduce the risk of further offending so the sentence can be suspended.”

Stannard was also made subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, prohibiting him providing any physical, mental or spiritual therapy and he must sign the sex offenders register for the same period of time.

On-The-Run: Fugitive In Dock Accused Of Somalian Group Murder

Stabbed: Gus Fenton

A suspected murderer, involved in a brutal street gang attack on a lone man walking to his local betting shop, fled to Holland to avoid justice, a court heard yesterday.

Ilyaas Maalin, 23, was one of five young men armed with knives and bats who killed 29 year-old Gus Fenton in Southall, west London, the jury were told.

At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Maalin has pleaded not guilty to murder and inflicting grievous bodily harm on Gus’s brother Elijah, 35, who came to his younger sibling’s aid.

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn-Jones told the trial Gus left his home on March 28, 2017 for his local betting shop.

“He was being followed by a group of five much younger men, specifically looking for him.

“Once they found him there was a short meeting that ignited into violence in broad daylight in a busy high street, crowded with pedestrians and drivers.

“Mr Fenton was chased and caught and he was punched and kicked, lasting a few seconds,” continued the prosecutor. “He was not seriously injured at that stage and the group of five headed off.”

Gus phoned his brother Elijah and began walking home, but was confronted by the same group a second time.

“They attacked him again and some had armed themselves and the attack was significantly more violent.”

By now Elijah had driven to the scene, explained Mr Emlyn-Jones. “He sees his brother attacked by the group armed with knives and bats and other objects.

“They turned their violence onto Elijah and he was stabbed, but Gus was not lucky, he had serious injuries six separate stab wounds.”

Sadly, Gus died the next morning.

“There is no dispute this defendant is one of the young men involved,” the prosecutor told the jury. “The extent of his involvement is for you.

“Within a few days of the murder the defendant went to Holland to avoid arrest and trial, the prosecution say.

“He was returned to the UK last year.”

The jury will view CCTV images of the attack during the trial.

“All five are acting together as a team, each playing a part by causing serious injuries or helping and encouraging those doing the stabbing and inflicting the injuries.

“The CCTV will show group violence by five friends acting together.”

Trial continues…………….    

Shoplifter Jailed For Attacking Police

A shoplifter, who spat at and headbutted police when caught after a foot chase, has been locked-up.

Terry Purser, 48, of Green Dragon Lane, Brentford took wire cutters to High Street, Ealing and nicked £400 worth of goods from a local business.

At Isleworth Crown Court he received twelve months imprisonment for theft and assaulting police.

On Thursday, December 2, last year officers from Ealing Broadway and Ealing Common safer neighbourhood teams were on patrol in the area.

They were alerted by store detectives, who were chasing a shoplifter. 

Police assisted in capturing Purser, who had to be restrained as he struggled with the officers.

He spat at them and PC Boast tried to protect himself by extending his arm towards Purser. 

The defendant then proceeded to headbutt PC Boast’s hand, which caused the officer's shoulder to dislocate.

Sergeant James Lenton, supervisor for the Ealing neighbourhood teams said: “This is a positive result and gives a clear message to people who assault emergency workers who are simply trying to do their job and serve their communities as well as those who steal that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated. 

“Nobody comes to work to get injured or assaulted. Sentencing Purser to a period of imprisonment rightly recognises this.”

In Pour Taste: Wine Thief Jailed

A wine thief, who snatched thirteen bottles worth £8,100 from a Square Mile restaurant, has been jailed.

Shahed Ahmed, 41, of Thrawl Street, Whitechapel ventured into the neighbouring City of London to target Eataly in Bishopsgate.

He pleaded guilty to stealing the bottles of wine in the early hours of February 9 and was sentenced to seventeen weeks imprisonment.

City of London Police officers analysed CCTV footage at the venue, which showed Ahmed stealing the wine whilst wearing a distinctive jacket and hat. 

Ahmed was arrested the next day by City officers still wearing the jacket seen in the footage. 

At the time of arrest Ahmed was also found to have in his possession a small wrap of cocaine.

Ahmed pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court for burglary and possession of class A drugs.

Ahmed was jailed just over 48 hours after he was located. 

City of London Police Detective Sergeant Gary Moore, who led the investigation, said: “Our officers quickly identified, located and arrested Ahmed from the CCTV provided to us from Eataly by using our links into the local community.

“The speed in which Ahmed was jailed sends a strong message to criminals in the City that if you commit offences, our officers will swiftly find you and arrest.”

Cross Bolt: Drunk Racially Abused Paramedics

A drunken middle-aged woman, who racially abused two ambulance workers, who came to her aid on the Albert Embankment, has been sentenced.

Her punishment will be a home night time curfew, enforced by an electronic tag to monitor her movements.

Barbara Bolt, 52, was drunk and throwing up by the bank of the Thames when a friend sought help.

However, she ended up being arrested after telling one of the ambulance crew: “You’re a f***ing Puerto Rican c***,” as they were attempting to assist her.

Croydon Magistrates Court also heard she quizzed an Australian worker about his origin and said: “F*** off back to where you came from.”

Bolt, of Carey Gardens, South Lambeth was convicted of the racially-aggravated assault of paramedic Nadia Moreira on August 1, 2020.

She was also convicted of the racially-aggravated harassment of paramedic Adrien Dansette on the same occasion.

Bolt failed to turn up for her trial and the charges were proved in her absence.

Bolt was sentenced to a twelve-month Community Order, plus an electronically-tagged home curfew for six weeks between 9pm and 6am.

She must also comply with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to thirty days and six months of mental health treatment.

Bolt was also ordered to pay £100 compensation and £300 costs.

Burglar Nicked Car Parts From Team McLaren

An audacious burglar, who used a McLaren staffer’s security card to steal valuable car parts from the Formula One teams’s HQ, has been giving a prison warning today.

Michael James Langton, 29, twice walked out of the motorsport giant’s Woking base with thousands of pounds worth of automotive tech.

He claims he was under extreme pressure to repay a drugs debt.

Langton, of Chapman Road, Croydon pleaded guilty to burgling the McLaren Technology Centre, Woking on July 24 and August 10, last year.

He also pleaded guilty to fraud, by false representation, namely using an access card in the name of Mark Shepherd to enter the HQ on those two dates and on August 21.

The value of the car parts stolen during Langton’s second burglary was £7,040.

He is currently subject to a suspended prison sentence, imposed for a separate offence of theft.

Judge Judith Coello told Langton at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court: “It is not possible to sentence you today for this.

“It is connected to matters that you were sentenced to a suspended sentence for.

“The court will keep all options open and that does include the possibility of a custodial sentence.”

Langton was bailed unconditionally to return to court for a pre-sentence report on March 21.

Woman Assaulted On Tram: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police are hunting this suspected tram troublemaker after a female passenger was assaulted.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released the image as they continue to seek the general public's assistance in identifying the man.

At just after 6pm on November 16, last year a male passenger boarded a tram travelling between East Croydon and New Addington.

He sat next to the female complainant on the tram and assaulted her.

Officers believe the man in the image may have information which could help their investigation.

If you recognise him, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 2100095688.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 11.

Honeymoon Split: Jury Fail To Reach Verdict On New Groom

A newly-wed groom, accused of groping a young student while flying home from his Hawaii honeymoon, faces a retrial after a jury failed to reach a verdict today.

City analyst Robert Jan Van Den Bergh, 37, was is accused of caressing the woman’s thigh for nearly two hours after she took a couple of sleeping pills on the transatlantic flight.

Van Den Bergh, of Forest Road, Hackney pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault on the United Airlines Heathrow-bound flight between December 31, 2019 and January 1, 2020.

Isleworth Crown Court Judge Lindsey Rose told him: “The jury have been discharged and that is the end of the matter with this jury.

“The Crown will now have to decide if they want a retrial and I have set a reserve date.”

Prosecutor Sophia Kerridge announced: “The default position is that we would want a retrial. I anticipate in all the circumstances that would be the case.”

The economics degree student told the week-long trial: “I realised two hours in it was probably on purpose what he was doing and put an airline pillow between us. 

“The pressure would increase over time and move around up to where my underwear was. It would stop for a few seconds and start again.”

She was wearing a skirt and had a blanket over her. “It was under the blanket. It was the man sitting next to me.

“It started in the middle of my thigh, but moved around for the one and a half to two hours it was. I was too scared to look and sort of trapped in the seat and not sure what to do.”

She was seated in the window seat of the Los Angeles to Heathrow plane and Van Den Bergh’s wife was on another pre-booked flight.

He told the trial: “I did not at any point intentionally touch the complainant during the flight.”

Van Den Bergh, who works in the electricity markets, said it was unlikely, but possible, he moved in his sleep during the overnight New Year’s Eve flight.

“My wife makes fun of me that I move or caress her in my sleep, but I have no recollection of it,” he told the trial.

However, he insisted even that was unlikely: “This isn’t something I would expect myself to do in a strange environment in my sleep.”

He was released on bail until the provisional retrial date of August 30.

Music Teacher Jailed For Repeatedly Sexually Abusing Boy As A Youth

The sacked former Head of Music at a leading Surrey school has been jailed for sexually abusing a young boy while in his teenage years nearly thirty years ago.

Chris Pearson, 42, who obtained a post-degree diploma at the Royal College of Music, lost his career when separately arrested on suspicion of “grooming” girls at Cobham Free School, where he taught.

He got a job as a train guard with South Western Railway, but is now starting a seven-year sentence for abusing the nine year-old boy in the 1990’s.

Married father-of-two Pearson, of Beaconsfield Road, Chatham, Kent was unanimously convicted of three counts of rape and one count of indecency with a child.

The Croydon Crown Court jury unanimously found him not guilty of another count of indecency with a child.  

He did not reveal his impressive academic background in music to the jury, which includes working with the Bromley Youth Music Trust.

Pearson graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire with a degree in music in 2002 and taught the subject at Longfield Academy, Kent and was Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts at Bacon’s College, Rotherhithe.

He fought the charges, which occurred between June, 1995 and July, 1997 at his parents’ home in Beaumont Road, Petts Wood, Orpington.

Judge Deborah Charles told Pearson: “You raped him repeatedly. In evidence in court he said he thought he had been raped on a dozen occasions.

“At the time you raped him he didn’t realise what you were doing to him was wrong. You had groomed him under the guise of playing games, having to guess what music track was being played.

“He felt tormented mentally and the forfeit was a wrestling game, where you would put a hold on him, sitting on him and pulling his head back until he as screaming in agony and begging for mercy.

“This was not experimentation on one occasion. This was not merely impulsive behaviour. You planned what you were doing and using the guise of a wrestling game to instigate sexual contact.

“There is no evidence or remorse, which the court could take into account. He had no axe to grind against you, there had been no falling out.”

In his victim impact statement the complainant said coming forward was to rid himself of “the demons” that had “plagued his life” for twenty-five years.

He suffered “flashbacks” and “triggers” to childhood memories he would rather forget and spoke of “years of suffering” due to Pearson.

Prosecutor Richard Job told the jury Pearson was fifteen to sixteen years-old and the victim regularly visited his family home between the ages of nine and eleven years-old.

The complainant was not a relative, but would spend time in Pearson’s teenage bedroom at the defendant’s invitation, initially for fun wrestling.

“The defendant would invite him up to his room to play with him, wrestling as WWF was very popular at the time.

“The defendant would try out his latest wrestling moves on the younger, weaker child,” added Mr Job.

The victim told the jury he was smaller than Pearson and would be “forced to submit” during the wrestling sessions and would “scream in agony.”

Pearson also enjoyed demanding the younger boy “beg for mercy” the court heard.

“There may have been bullying physically, but he was also sexually abused, forced down onto the bed and raped for the defendant’s sexual pleasure.

“The defendant would also ask the younger boy to play with him intimately on a number of occasions.

“The defendant took advantage of his youth and naivety, not appreciating the enormity of what was happening.

“In his teens the complainant recognised he had been abused and felt shame and disgust.”

The jury were told the complainant first revealed what happened to his half-brother in 2017 and the police were then informed.

Officers later interviewed Pearson. “He made a complete denial,” said the prosecutor.

Pearson, who was supported by this sister throughout the trial, told the jury he had never been in trouble and was a man of good character.

He claimed his parents would have easily heard any screams coming from his bedroom. “They preferred that the doors were always open  and they usually were.”

There was also a home intercom system, he told the trial, easily allowing his mother to hear what was going on in his bedroom.

Pearson denied wrestling with the boy and inflicting pain, insisting his parents had a strict rule that visiting children were banned from going upstairs.

“He has never seen me naked and it didn’t happen with me,” he told the jury.

The judge questioned why there were no references from teacher colleagues on behalf of Pearson, considering his professional academic background.

“Surrey Police investigated an allegation of grooming of schoolgirls via email. They were misguided and overly friendly and not sexual,” said Lucy Organ, defending.

“Mr Pearson as arrested and questioned and there was no further action.

“There were emails to females, aged fifteen to sixteen years-old that were not sexual in nature.

“They were inappropriate in their quantity and times, sent late at night and showing some favourability, like helping one pupil to become Head Girl.

“He accepts he went too far in assisting two students. He is not a teacher any longer, he lost his job in 2017.

“It is twenty-five years since the offending,” added Ms Organ. 

“He has not committed any more offences and that says he is at low risk of re-offending with anything very unlikely to happen ever again.

“He has established himself as a family man and has been able to lead a useful life, despite his offending as a youth.

“He was a child when the offences were committed, which is very hard to imagine when you have a man of forty-two years-old in front of you.

“He is still a musician and his wife is here to support him in court today and they have a five year-old daughter and seven year-old son.”

Pearson was informed of the allegation in 2017. “It did hang over his family for years  and he and his wife’s mental health has spiralled, with panic attacks, depression and suicidal thoughts.

“He was a devoted father and husband, a useful member of society until he was remanded in custody.

“His children will effectively be grown-ups when he is released. He will miss their childhood.”

Pearson and his wife touched hands through a gap in the dock’s security glass as he was led down to the cells.

“He is of vital emotional support to Mrs Pearson, who’s been struggling since the allegation was made. She is worried the family will never get back together or survive.”

Pearson was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life; was barred from working with children and other vulnerable groups and told he must serve two-thirds of the sentence before he is eligible for parole.

City Analyst: "I Did Not Intentionally Touch"

Van Den Bergh & Wife

A City analyst, accused of groping a young student when flying home from his Hawaii honeymoon, told a jury if he stroked the woman’s thigh it was in his sleep.

Robert Jan Van Den Bergh, 37, who specialises in the electricity and power markets, told Isleworth Crown court: “I did not at any point intentionally touch the complainant during the flight.”

Van Den Bergh, of Forest Road, London Fields, Hackney was returning from a two-week honeymoon in Maui onboard a United Airlines flight bound for Heathrow.

His lawyer wife was on another pre-booked flight.

Van Den Bergh, who has also worked in Geneva and Brussels, said it was unlikely, but possible, he moved in his sleep during the overnight New Year’s Eve flight from Los Angeles.

“My wife makes fun of me that I move or caress her in my sleep, but I have no recollection of it,” he told the trial.

However, he insisted even that was unlikely: “This isn’t something I would expect myself to do in a strange environment in my sleep.”

Earlier the young economics degree student, who was sitting next to Van Den Bergh in a window seat, told the jury from behind a screen: “It started in the middle of my thigh, but moved around for the one and a half to two hours it was. 

“I was too scared to look and sort of trapped in the seat and not sure what to do.”

Van Den Bergh had seen her take two sleeping pills before take-off and joked they could render her unconscious.

“I’m quite chatty and I did have a friendly chat. It’s an uncomfortable position to be in for such a long time so I do like a more relaxed atmosphere.”

The young woman was sitting on his right and Van Den Bergh said: “There was someone watching action films to my left, which causes a lot of flashing on the screen and that may have caused me to move to my right.”

He claimed he was sleeping when the young woman nudged him to leave her seat. She then made her complain to the cabin crew.

“I was approached by a member of the crew, the purser, and he asked me to meet him in the kitchen area.

“He said the lady in that seat had complained about inappropriate touching and I said I had no recollection.

“I returned to my seat a bit shocked. It is not something that has ever been alleged.

“Never in my life have I been accused of touching a woman. All I could think of was I got in the way, asleep with my arms moving and she got annoyed.

“The police marched in. There were two police officers and I think they were armed.

“They shouted out my name and asked me to join them on the bridge. It was not a nice experience.”

The passenger sitting to Van Den Bergh’s left, retired pastor Margaret Yun, was asked if she could have observed any groping.

“I think I would have. Slight movements I wouldn’t have. If there had been a jerking movement that drew my attention I would have seen that.”

She told the court the young woman confided in her and said: “Did you see what he did? He groped me. I’m going to tell someone and get another seat.”

Van Den Bergh was questioned by Heathrow police, who put the groping allegation to him. “That’s shocking,” he told them. “I can say one hundred per cent sure when I was awake I didn’t do that.”

He told police the allegation and his arrest was “quite shocking,” adding: “I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.”

Van Den Bergh’s wife is expected to give evidence on his behalf and the jury will hear fifteen defence character references.

He has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault on the flight between December 31, 2019 and January 1, 2020.

Trial continues……………

RE Teacher Accused Of Bryan Adams-Inspired Sexual Grooming

An RE teacher had a Bryan Adams-themed affair with an underage schoolgirl, molesting her at one of the rocker’s concerts and in Bushy Park, where they were seen by the head of the school’s PTA, a court heard.

Philip McDermott, 59, groped the teenager’s breasts and touched her between her legs at the Catholic all-girl convent school in west London, Isleworth Crown Court was told.

The girl’s father even dropped her off to meet McDermott at Adams’ Sandown Park concert “to suss him out” and later she was molested as they watched the show, the jury heard.

McDermott, of Westwood Hill, Sydenham has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with a child between March 28, 2013 and August 27, 2017.

He also denies two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The jury watched the complainant’s police video-recorded interview in which she said: “He was my RE teacher. 

“I was very vulnerable, I was quite depressed for a while after I was sent a text saying I must be the ugliest girl in the class.

“He groomed me and met up with me outside school and we sent sexually explicit emails to each other and he sexually assaulted me numerous times.”

The girl ended up staying for after-school chats up to 7pm with McDermott when she was fifteen years-old, the court heard. 

“He said some disgusting things that he shouldn’t have told me. He said that when he got engaged with his wife they f***** in the bath.

The lyrics of Bryan Adams played a big role in their relationship, she said, with a particular favourite of McDermott’s the singer’s 2015 single: ‘You Belong To Me.’

“The cover was of Bryan Adams with a woman with red fingernails on the cover and we reenacted that in the classroom.”

McDermott also liked the singer’s hit: ‘If You Wanna Be Bad, Ya Gotta Be Good,’ the court heard.

“Sometimes he would play that one in the classroom and dance to it. That was the really sexualised one.”

They used Bryan Adams’ lyrics in emails to express their feelings for each other, she told the court.

“I wanted to help him and make him feel better. I thought we were in love at that point, which is ridiculous.

“He said: ‘I feel a bit different about you,’ and near his desk he put his hand up my skirt and rubbed.”

Prosecutor Szilvia Booker told the jury: “There was touching of her breasts in the classroom and we will hear about an incident in Bushy Park, a day they spent together happily, but sexually.

“He will probably say to you it is a fantasy invented by a pupil infatuated with him, who held him in high esteem.

“She thought her and the defendant were in love and was happy to be his confidante when he discussed images in his marriage.

“They emailed each other Bryan Adams lyrics as a way of communicating what they would like to do to each other and they used Pinterest.”

The girl was even worried her “sexual and indiscreet” messages would pop up on the teacher’s live powerpoint while he was teaching a class.

Sometimes their late classroom dates were interrupted by the school caretaker or another teacher and they would pretend they were doing something else.

McDermott treated her to a pub lunch in Twickenham before a date in Bushy Park, the court heard.

“It was a romantic luncheon with nice clandestine touching under the table,” added the prosecutor. The pair then visited the Waterhouse Woodland Gardens in the park.

“He was rubbing my breasts over my clothing and then inside my bra,” the complainant told the court.

Ms Booker said the abuse escalated to oral sex in that part of the park. “It was quite secluded, boarded by fencing, romantic.”

They were spotted walking together by the school’s PTA head. “It peaked her interest and bowled her over with a feather.

“They both said: ‘Hello’ and were walking side by side like father and daughter.”

McDermott also arranged the Bryan Adams concert. “This sexual relationship was being played out under the nose of her farther.

“Either nothing was happening or they were so outrageous they took that sort of risk.”

McDermott was reported to the police in 2020 and when arrested said: “I’m in shock at the moment.”

Police seized his phone, which still had pictures of the complainant and he had the programme from the Bryan Adam concert.

“Maybe it was to remind him of that clandestine touching,” added Ms Booker.

Trial continues……………