Yorkshire Teacher Denies Grooming Teenagers

26 September 2011, 17:47 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A drama teacher accused of encouraging two teenagers to have sex in the back of his car in Halifax has denied grooming the couple.

48 year old William Drury was driving the teenagers, a girl aged 16 and a boy aged 17, home from his house on Chester Road in Halifax when the pair had sex.

Drury is accused of encouraging school children to take part in sexual activity, inappropriately touching a teenage girl and making indecent photographs of teenage girls.

The jury at Leeds Crown Court heard that the married teacher did nothing to stop the teenagers from having sex in his car.

The court was also told that, on another occasion, he was aware the pair intended to have sex on school property and knew they were taking part in a sex act at the school.

Drury told the court he came to look upon the boy as a friend and would discuss personal matters and matters of a sexual nature with the teenager.

Rob Mairs, prosecuting, told the court that Drury continued to meet the couple and discuss sexual matters after his suspension from the school.

He said: 'What you did with these pupils was make it normal to discuss sex with them, to talk about their sex lives and talk about your sex life.'

The barrister continued: 'What you were doing, Mr Drury, was grooming them.'

'No,' the defendant replied.

The court heard that Drury was spoken to by the headteacher after the girl's mother complained to the school.

He later received a formal oral warning for his 'over-familiar involvement with students' by giving pupils lifts and was warned that he was 'jeopardising his professional standing and the reputation of the school'.

The jury also heard that a number of photographs of pupils were found on Drury's computer.

The defendant said he kept some, of a 15-year-old girl in her underwear, because the teenager looked 'happy'.

The court heard that Drury had referred to this girl as his 'mistress'.

Another girl was pictured wearing a vest top with no bra.

Drury denied putting his hand up her top, running his hand up the back of her thigh and kissing her neck and ears. He admitted tickling her leg 'to try and make her jump'.

The court heard the teacher told the girl he loved her on a number of occasions.

When asked what boundaries he thought there should be between teachers and pupils, Drury said he thought those set down by schools were correct.

He added: 'I realise I've crossed those boundaries and that's something I will regret for the rest of my life.'

Drury denies two charges of causing a child to engage in sexual activity by a person in a position of trust; five charges of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust; one charge of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity; and six charges of making an indecent photograph of a child.

The trial continues.