Rachel Morgan reports on a dramatic court verdict that has left a community reeling: a married teacher, Jenine Saville-King, has been acquitted of all charges related to an alleged affair with a pupil. The 29-year-old's emotional breakdown in the St Albans Crown Court was a poignant reminder of the trauma inflicted by the allegations.
The prosecution had alleged that Ms Saville-King, from Hook, Hampshire, began a relationship with the then 15-year-old boy in 2004, with sexual activity occurring after his 16th birthday. The court heard claims that the relationship continued for over a year, even after Ms Saville-King became pregnant by her husband, Paul, 37, and subsequently gave birth to their first son. Evidence presented included over 200 pages of MSN internet messages exchanged between July and October 2005, and more than 6,000 text messages.
The now 18-year-old pupil, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, testified that he had engaged in sexual activity with Ms Saville-King in hotels and at her home when her husband was at work. He stated he was in love with her and claimed they had sex 'two to three times a week'. However, he admitted initiating contact by seeking help with his maths GCSE coursework and obtaining her computer chat username. When questioned if his request for help was an excuse to be with her, he replied, 'Yes'. The court also heard that the boy was in another relationship with a 37-year-old mother-of-three during part of the alleged affair and now lives with her.
Ms Saville-King, who was teaching at a school in Watford, Hertfordshire, at the time of the alleged incidents, maintained her innocence throughout the trial. While she admitted to the court that she 'loved' the boy and was 'emotionally connected' to him, describing their bond as 'intense', she vehemently denied any sexual activity. She stated, 'We were just really, really emotionally connected... He told me he loved me, I told him I loved him - but no sex.'
The defence argued that the boy had attempted to blackmail Ms Saville-King and only disclosed the alleged relationship after being accused of harassing her. Ms Saville-King told police she had been 'very greatly disturbed by the allegations' and that the boy had pursued a 'campaign that became one of harassment, intimidation and threats'. She also acknowledged, in hindsight, that she should not have allowed the situation with the youngster to develop as it did. Ms Saville-King also disclosed suffering from depression and bulimia, and had ceased working at the school due to stress.