Cornwall teacher John Harvey, 51, denies taking advantage of position of trust as jury hears of ‘intense’ relationship with pupil who said ‘I was in love with him’
A married deputy headteacher groomed a 16-year-old pupil and had sex with her multiple times including at her home when her father was away, a court heard yesterday.
John Harvey, 51, who was assistant head teacher and safeguarding lead at Penryn College in Cornwall, allegedly formed an inappropriate relationship with the teenager while she was still at school.
The father-of-children is accused of taking advantage of his position of trust to pursue the schoolgirl, with their alleged encounters taking place in his car and at her family home.
Harvey denies two counts of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust, telling police when arrested that the allegations were “a figment of her imagination.
‘Deep Connection’ with Teacher
Truro Crown Court heard the teenager had been “in love” with Harvey and described their relationship as “extremely intense” with a “deep connection.”
Giving evidence, the alleged victim told the jury: “I cared for him. I kept these messages as a reminder that he cared for me. It was an extremely intense relationship.
“We had a deep connection. I was in love with him. I became infatuated with him.”
The court heard Harvey allegedly told the girl to keep their relationship secret because he was married with children and feared he would lose his job and could go to prison if discovered.
Pregnancy Scares and Secret Meetings
Prosecutor Nigel Wraith told the court the pair had sex on multiple occasions outside school, including in Harvey’s car and at the girl’s home when her father had been away.
The relationship allegedly involved two pregnancy scares and continued even after the teenager left Penryn College to attend Truro College.
Text messages between the pair were discovered as the relationship began to end, the jury was told.
Position of Trust Laws
While the girl was above the general age of consent at 16, Mr Wraith explained to the jury that stricter laws apply when teachers are involved with pupils.
“A middle age teacher having sex with a 16-year-old pupil is an offence,” the prosecutor said.
The court heard that the age of consent rises to 18 in cases involving adults in positions of trust, including teachers, making any sexual relationship of this nature illegal regardless of apparent consent.
Relationship Exposed by Friend
The alleged relationship came to light when the girl confided in a friend, who subsequently reported it to Devon and Cornwall Police.
The teenager told the court she had been “scared of being judged” and feared she would “get into trouble.
“I was scared that it would have repercussions for his family if we were caught,” she said.
Deputy Head’s Safeguarding Role
Harvey’s position as both deputy head teacher and safeguarding lead at the Cornwall secondary school adds a particularly troubling dimension to the allegations.
As safeguarding lead, he would have been responsible for protecting pupils from harm and ensuring their welfare – making the alleged abuse of trust even more serious.
‘Figment of Imagination’ Claim
When arrested and interviewed by police, Harvey dismissed all the allegations against him.
He told officers that the sexual encounters described by the teenager were entirely fabricated and “a figment of her imagination.
The 51-year-old maintains his innocence on all charges.
Secret Kept from Family
The court heard Harvey was a married man with children of his own when the alleged offences took place.
The prosecutor said Harvey had warned the girl about the consequences of their relationship being discovered, telling her he could lose his job and face imprisonment.
This fear allegedly led to the relationship being conducted in secret, with encounters taking place when the girl’s father was away from home.
Position of Trust Legislation
The case highlights the special protections in place for pupils under position of trust legislation.
While 16 is the general age of consent in England and Wales, the law recognises that teachers and other authority figures hold special influence over young people in their care.
This means any sexual activity between a teacher and pupil under 18 is illegal, regardless of apparent consent, to protect vulnerable young people from potential exploitation.
Trial Continues
Harvey, who worked at Penryn College at the time of the alleged offences, faces two counts of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust.
The charges relate to alleged incidents that occurred several years ago when the complainant was 16 years old.
The trial at Truro Crown Court continues, with Harvey maintaining his innocence against all charges.
If convicted, Harvey faces a potential prison sentence and would be placed on the sex offenders register. He would also be banned from working with children.
