THE jury in the trial of a teacher accused of having sex with two under-age boys has heard she is now a nationally-acclaimed educationalist.

Anne Lakey's barrister, Tim Roberts, QC, said yesterday (Tuesday, June 16) that the 55-year-old had dedicated her career to improving the lives of young people.

He told the Teesside Crown Court jury that they will hear character references, read statements and the defendant giving evidence in her defence.

Mrs Lakey was the chief executive of the Durham Federation of Schools - in charge of three - when the allegations from the 1980s came to light two years ago.

She had gained national recognition and been described as a visionary for her work at Fynedoune Community College in Sacriston, near Durham, said Mr Roberts.

Mrs Lakey denies 13 counts of indecent assault on a boy aged 13 or 14 and another boy aged 15 over a three-year-period when she taught RE and history.

The 55-year-old, of Oxhill Villas in Stanley, County Durham, has been described by the prosecution at Teesside Crown Court as a sexual predator.


The older complainant said he lost his virginity with her on a camping trip, and the younger boy said they had sex after she allowed him to watch her bathe.

She is accused of repeatedly having sexual relations with the teenagers at separate times at her home in while her then husband was away on business.

Mr Roberts said Mrs Lakey will give her testimony today, and defence witnesses will give evidence that he says challenges the prosecution claims.

He also told the jury of seven men and five women that the defence expects to call witnesses who will "attest to Mrs Lakey's good character".

"You will learn from that evidence that she has been a dedicated teacher in the North-East," he said, adding that only half the story has been heard.

"In addition to that, she has been an inspirational leader to others in education and her personal attributes have achieved national recognition.

"The focus of her attention during her career has been to improve the opportunities available to young people in the former mining villages of North Durham."

Mrs Lakey told police she did not have sex with the first boy and only had a relationship with the older one when he was 18, and she was in her early 30s.

She told detectives: "I did not have sex with [the older complainant] when he was under 16, that I am 100 per cent sure about. I did not have him in my tent."

The trial continues.