[A] TEACHER accused of groping a girl has gone on trial at Carlisle Crown Court.
David Harrison, 26, faces four charges – all of which he denies. These allege that he sexually assaulted a female aged under 13 on a number of occasions during a period spanning several months.
Today (MON), a jury heard prosecutor David Traynor open the case. Mr Traynor said the girl first made allegations during a conversation with her mother.
When asked whether Harrison had ever “touched her where he shouldn’t”, the girl is said to have responded: “It’s not OK that he puts his hands down my top, is it?”
When the girl repeated her allegations – that Harrison had also rubbed her chest – to others, police were informed.
Harrison was arrested and interviewed, and Mr Traynor told jurors: “He denied touching (the girl) on her chest or in any way inappropriately.”
The court heard police also seized and analysed Harrison’s personal laptop. Its internet history showed visits to four web pages, each featuring “explicit” stories involving sexual behaviour between an adult and a child.
However, Harrison, of Friars Garth, Abbeytown, said he had merely “skim read” them due to concerns “someone could have been taken advantage of”.
The trial continues.
