A NORTH-EAST couple coerced a teenage girl into taking part in sordid sex sessions, a court heard yesterday.

It was claimed that three-times married John Slimmings, 58, talked the teenager into sex romps with him and his wife, Mary.

Teesside Crown Court was told that Slimmings exerted a Svengali-like hold over his wife.

He was able to control her for his own sexual gratification, not hers.

The alleged victim told the court how she first became involved in the menage a trois when she was just 15.

Giving evidence before a jury, she told Graham Reeds, prosecuting that she was sexually assaulted by the couple as she shared a bath with Mr Slimmings' wife.

The girl told police that she believed Mrs Slimmings had been sent into the bathroom by her husband.

Mr Slimmings, who is the former chairman of the Boilermakers Club in Hartlepool, and his 56-year-old wife were arrested by detectives last July.

The girl told the jury: "When we were in the bath together he would come in and say 'Are you having fun girls?'"

The sex assaults left such a mark that some time afterwards she claimed to have confided in a priest about what had happened because she felt ashamed.

The court heard that she was distressed when she made the confession. However, she denied suggestions that her allegations may have been ideas implanted by a priest.

Under cross examination, the woman also denied she was seeking revenge against Mr Slimmings.

She maintained: "It is not revenge; I just wanted to be at peace."

She told the jury that she had not talked to Mr Slimmings since 1990.

Mr and Mrs Slimmings, of Doyle Walk, Hartlepool, deny the allegations.

The couple maintain that they are all lies.

The couple face eight sex charges. Mr Slimmings pleads not guilty to attempted rape and seven charges of indecent assault, including two indecent assaults with his wife which she also denies.

The trial continues.