A FEMALE teacher repeatedly had sex with a "besotted" 14-year-old girl after convincing her parents she was "like a big sister", a court heard today.

Kim Connor, 46, began teaching the girl when she was aged nine at stage school before giving her "private tuition" for drama, it is said.

1 A teacher is on trial at Minshull Street Crown court accused of abusing a pupil Credit: PA:Press Association

When the girl turned 14 and was struggling with her sexuality, she went to the teacher's home and was kissed "chastely" on the mouth, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

But the relationship developed and she later started to touch the teen inappropriately over her clothing, it was said.

They would also share a bed - with Connor allegedly so trusted by the pupil's family she was allowed to stay over.

Jurors were told one night Connor opened a safe in her wardrobe revealing sex toys and encouraged the girl to use them on each other.

The pair would also allegedly go shopping together in Salford and went to see top London shows - even going on holiday to Portugal together when the teen was 16.



'SHE MADE ME FEEL SPECIAL'

But the girl ended the alleged relationship when she got to university and realised it "wasn't right", it was said.

The court heard how she was inspired to open up about the abuse, which allegedly took place 15 years ago, by the #MeToo movement.

She told jurors today: "I adored her, I idolised her. She made me feel special because I thought she had chosen me."

The girl told the court how they never showed "any affection" when in public and "had to hide" if Connor saw parents of any children she taught.

She also said in evidence how her parents would sometimes let her spend the night at Connor's home while they visited a sick relative in a hospice.

'LIKE A BIG SISTER'

Breaking down, she added: "She was there to help us all through it.

"I viewed her at that time like a big sister."

The court heard how she was "in thrall" to Connor, who "exploited" the "vulnerability" of a young girl.

During cross-examination, the girl denied making up her account because she was jealous after Connor got another appointment at a different stage school.

She said: "The first 15 years of my life were ruined by Kim Connor.

"I had to have counselling for depression and anxiety."

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The court was told when she arrested, Connor admitted the pair had been in a sexual relationship but insisted it had not begun until the girl turned 18.

Connor, from Manchester, denies six counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child being a person in a position of trust and a further six of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity being a person in a position of trust.