Teacher 'flirted with boy of 15'

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A married teacher told a jury how she had flirted with a teenage schoolboy after becoming his mentor and at one stage even thought she may love him.

Jenine Saville-King, 29, from Hook in Hampshire, denies having sex with a child and abuse of trust.

It is alleged she was sleeping with the boy when he was aged 15 and 16, while she was a teacher in Watford, Herts.

On Thursday Mrs Saville-King told St Albans Crown Court she had never had sex with the boy.

She admitted she had sent the boy e-mails in which she said she loved and missed him.

Suffering from bulimia

Giving evidence Mrs Saville-King told her barrister, Miss Sarah Forshaw that she is still married to her husband Paul who she said was supporting her.

She told the jury that before going to work at the school, she was suffering from bulimia and she and her husband were having difficulties as they tried for a baby.

Mrs Saville-King said she was mentor to the boy who is at the centre of the allegations.

Miss Forshaw reminded the teacher how the boy, giving evidence, had told the jury he found Mrs Saville King attractive and would flirt with her.

Miss Forshaw asked "Did you flirt back?" She replied "Yes, I probably did."

She said she could not explain why she was flirting with the boy.

She agreed she had gone to meet the boy at two hotels, but said it was after he had contacted her distressed and emotional and threatening to commit suicide.

'Wanted proper relationship'

She said she never stayed with the teenager and on one occasion when she told him she was leaving he had blocked her exit

"I said I would call the police if he didn't let me go," she told the court.

Miss Forshaw then asked "What was it he wanted from you?"

Mrs Saville-King replied: "He wanted it to be a proper relationship. that's what he wanted for me to leave Paul and for us to be together."

She said she formed the impression the boy was in love with her.

Asked if she was in love with him she said: "No I didn't love him."

Miss Forshaw said: "Did you think you loved him?" She replied: "Yeah, I think maybe I did."

The case continues.