Prep school teacher jailed for gross indecency against boy she tutored

A former prep school teacher has been jailed for seven years after being found guilty of gross indecency against a boy she tutored.

Deborah Franklin, 65, who was married and aged in her 30s at the time, was "trusted" by the family to be in the boy's room during tutoring sessions, St Albans Crown Court heard.

Jurors were told she took her clothes off in front of the boy, kissed him, got him to touch her and performed multiple sexual acts.

Franklin, of Radlett, Hertfordshire, was the complainant's private tutor during the 1990s, and subjected him to "repeated sexual activity" while he was aged between nine and 12, the court was told.

The victim, who is entitled to lifelong anonymity, said in a statement released by Hertfordshire Police: "I have carried the abuse with me throughout my life.

"It has been a constant shadow. Sometimes in the foreground and sometimes in the background, but always present. My life has been shaped by what happened to me when I was boy.

"I hope this case leads to greater awareness that women can be perpetrators of sexual abuse and boys can be victims."

Franklin was convicted of eight counts of gross indecency against the boy in July.

The complainant alleged that the defendant described herself as his "girlfriend", but urged him to be discreet about other people finding out, jurors were told.

He said he had "no memory of work ever being done" during tutoring sessions, the court heard.

Franklin had denied all the charges, claiming that she could not remember tutoring the boy.

She also told jurors it was "quite common for teachers and parents and children to socially interact".

The defendant was once seen by the boy's sister under the covers of her brother's bed, the court heard.

The court was told that during one sexual encounter in the garage at the complainant's house, Franklin took off her clothes and asked: "Do you want to touch me?"

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On another occasion, at her own house, Franklin tied him to her bed, blindfolded him and tickled him, the complainant said.

Hertfordshire Constabulary said Franklin was charged under the Indecency with Children Act 1960, which was in place at the time of the offences.

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