Hertfordshire teacher guilty of sex offences against former pupil

She was hired as the boy’s private tutor and was regularly at his family home.

The victim’s sister said: “She was fun, she was charismatic. I thought she was cool.”

Prosecutor Gavin Pottinger told the court that Franklin was “trusted” by the family to be in the boy’s room during tutoring sessions.

Jurors were told Franklin was once seen by the victim’s sister under the covers in her brother’s bed.

The prosecution said sexual encounters took place at both his home and Franklin’s, and that she referred to herself as his “girlfriend” while advising him to keep the relationship secret.

On one occasion she had tied the blindfolded boy to a bed at her home and tickled him, the accuser said.

Giving evidence, Franklin told the court it was common for teachers, parents and children to socialise, while her defence made the case the relationship was not “unusually close and inappropriate”.

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The accuser, now in his 40s, first reported the incidents to police in 2024.

Hertfordshire Police said she was suspended by her school once it was made aware of the allegations.

The judge said the complainant had “consistently recounted the substance of the allegations over many years to many people”.

Det Con Liz McGrath said: “Firstly, I wish to commend the bravery shown by the victim in reporting the allegations to the police and for the strength shown during the trial.

“This case demonstrates that however long ago a crime happened, we are committed to getting justice for victims. Franklin abused her position of trust and I welcome the jury’s guilty verdicts.”

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