A WOMAN has gone on trial accused of a series of sex crimes against two schoolgirls.

Serena Ransom, 20, from Stockton, denies a string of charges against the teenagers.

She is alleged to have abused one girl against her will and taken part in consensual - yet illegal - acts with the other.

A jury at Teesside Crown Court heard that Miss Ransom "is or was attracted to members of the female sex".

Prosecutor Adrian Dent told the court that one of the complainants "developed feelings for the defendant", who was in a relationship.

But because the girl was aged under 16, their kissing and other sexual acts were unlawful, said Mr Dent.

The other teenager was described as "rather vulnerable" by the prosecutor, who said Miss Ransom took advantage of her.

He said Miss Ransom asked the girl to touch her intimately, but she refused, and on another occasion, the defendant put her hand down the youngster's knickers.

The girl pushed Miss Ransom away, the jury heard, but on a different occasion she pinned down the teenager and gave her lovebites on her neck.

When a relative found out what had happened, the police were called and Miss Ransom was warned to stay away from her accuser.

"Things went quiet for a month or so, but there came a time when the defendant started to follow [the girl]," said Mr Dent.

"On one occasion, she followed her home when she had been at a pizza shop, and put her hands down her pants again."

Miss Ransom, of Bishopton Lane, Stockton, was questioned but denied anything sexual had ever happened between the pair.

She claimed the youngster had told her she liked her, but she said if anything happened between them it would be "unacceptable".

Later, when she was arrested and questioned, Miss Ransom made "no comment" replies to everything that was put to her, said Mr Dent.

The jury of eight men and four women will tomorrow (Tuesday, August 25) watch a recording of a police interview with the girl who claims she was abused.

Mr Dent said the youngster's mother will give evidence later in the trial, and friends of the other teenager will also be called.

The case continues.