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Cadet leader sex trial jury out | Cadet leader sex trial jury out |
(1 day later) | |
A jury is considering its verdict on an air cadet instructor said to have had sex with two teenagers, the younger of whom later killed herself. | A jury is considering its verdict on an air cadet instructor said to have had sex with two teenagers, the younger of whom later killed herself. |
Paul Nicholls, 39, of Pontygwaith, Rhondda, denies three charges of sexual activity with a 15-year-old and one of attempting sexual activity with her. | Paul Nicholls, 39, of Pontygwaith, Rhondda, denies three charges of sexual activity with a 15-year-old and one of attempting sexual activity with her. |
He also denies claims during the trial that he had sex with Cherrell Ardle, 13, who was found hanged at her home. | |
Merthyr Crown Court heard the 15-year-old went to police after Cherrell died. | |
The older girl, who is now 16, claimed she had also had sex with him. | The older girl, who is now 16, claimed she had also had sex with him. |
Prosecutor Jennet Treharne said: "The girl cadet said a sexual relationship had developed between Nicholls and her. | Prosecutor Jennet Treharne said: "The girl cadet said a sexual relationship had developed between Nicholls and her. |
'Ruin everything' | 'Ruin everything' |
"She said she did not tell anyone in authority what was happening at the time." | "She said she did not tell anyone in authority what was happening at the time." |
Ms Treharne said the girl came forward after Cherrell took her own life. | |
"She claimed that Cherrell had also been having a sexual relationship with Nicholls and it was her belief his conduct to Cherrell caused her to take her own life." | |
The older girl told police she had slept with Mr Nicholls 10 times between June and August 2007, before he moved onto Cherrell. | |
Miss Treharne said: "She said she didn't want to tell anyone at the time that they were having the affair because Nicholls told her it would ruin everything." | Miss Treharne said: "She said she didn't want to tell anyone at the time that they were having the affair because Nicholls told her it would ruin everything." |
Police were told Mr Nicholls had sex with the 15-year-old cadet in his bedroom, his living room and in his car parked on a mountain. Cherrell Ardle was found hanged at home in late 2007 | |
Miss Treharne said: "The girl believed that sexual activity stopped after two months because he started to act in a similar way with Cherrell." | |
The court heard Mr Nicholls sent her a text saying he wanted to invite both the girls to have sex. | The court heard Mr Nicholls sent her a text saying he wanted to invite both the girls to have sex. |
In one text he allegedly wrote: "I know one is better than none. But now I prefer two." | In one text he allegedly wrote: "I know one is better than none. But now I prefer two." |
The court heard that police found several text messages from Nicholls on the both girls' phones. | The court heard that police found several text messages from Nicholls on the both girls' phones. |
The girl gave video evidence to police against Mr Nicholls a month after Cherrell's death. | |
The teenager said Cherrell told her he raped her. | The teenager said Cherrell told her he raped her. |
She had earlier told the court she thought it was Cherrell's sexual relationship with Mr Nicholls that "tipped her over the edge". | She had earlier told the court she thought it was Cherrell's sexual relationship with Mr Nicholls that "tipped her over the edge". |
She has also told the jury how she had sex with Mr Nicholls "on many occasions". | She has also told the jury how she had sex with Mr Nicholls "on many occasions". |
Mr Nicholls denies having sexual relationships with the girls and claimed the text messages where sent by mistake when they should have gone to an older woman friend. | Mr Nicholls denies having sexual relationships with the girls and claimed the text messages where sent by mistake when they should have gone to an older woman friend. |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
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