A MAN was allegedly involved in a “sexual relationship” with a student while he was teaching at a South Cumbria school, a court has heard.

Mark Craster-Chambers, 54, is alleged to have engaged in kissing and other sexual acts with the girl during a period of several months in the 2000s after she had turned 16.

“It is the prosecution case that a sexual relationship developed between her and Mr Craster-Chambers whilst she was at that school,” alleged prosecutor David Traynor as he opened the case to a jury at Carlisle Crown Court on Monday.

“The law says that a teacher cannot have a sexual relationship with a pupil, even if the pupil is over 16.”

But Craster-Chambers maintained he had done nothing wrong when quizzed by police who were contacted about the allegations during 2017. “He suspected that (she) may have had a crush upon him but denied any sexual behaviour at all with her,” Mr Traynor told jurors.

Craster-Chambers is one of three men on trial for alleged historical sexual abuse of the female.

Gordon Holliday, 59, is alleged to have sexually assaulted her inside his van while she was aged 13. And 63-year-old Carl Donnelly is also accused of unlawful sexual activity with her “shortly after” she turned 13 at a time when he was working as a taxi driver.

“The prosecution allege that these three men each individually sexually abused (the complainant),” alleged Mr Traynor.

“There are some overlaps in time when things were going on. But each man acted on his own, and the circumstances of the abuse of each are different.”

Craster-Chambers, of ‪Preston on Stour, near Stratford-Upon-Avon, denies two counts of engaging in sexual activity while in a position of trust.‬

‪Holliday, of Howbank Road, Egremont, denies one charge alleging indecent assault of a girl aged under 16. And Donnelly, of The Ferns, Egremont, denies three charges alleging indecent assault of a girl aged under 16.‬

‪All three men insist that no illegal sexual activity occurred, and the trial continues.‬