VICTIMS of perverted headteacher Anne Lakey have spoken of the lasting damage they have suffered after being abused by a woman twice their age.

Statements were made on their behalf at Teesside Crown Court in which they expressed their anger at what happened to them in the late 1980s when they were inexperienced teenagers.

The younger victim said: "As a kid I thought it was great what was happening but now I see it was what it was - wrong. I think Anne is a dirty pervert.

"I was underage, it was not like I was 13 and she was 15 or something, we weren't even the same generation. She was old enough to be my mother."

He was angry people thought she was a respectable woman.

"She is supposed to be a great teacher," he said. "What sort of great teacher has sex with a 13-year-old?"

He was embarrassed about people's reactions to what happened to him, as they viewed young male victims differently from girls who had been abused.

He could not discuss the case with colleagues, explaining: "They would say 'what are you complaining about? You were lucky'."

They would "take the mickey", but he said: "If it was their son they might not make light of it."

The other victim said: "The offence against me happened when I was a young impressionable 15-year-old boy. At the time I didn't realise what I was doing and the consequence of having a sexual relationship with Anne Lakey."

It had a negative impact on this phase of his life, he said, and he felt "robbed" of that time when he should have been "interacting" with girls his age.

When she phoned him after the first victim's allegations came out, she assumed he would lie to the police for her.

And when the first trial last year ended with a hung jury, he said he knew he had to back up those allegations.

He added: "I realise I was a victim of sexual exploitation and feel a sense of shame I allowed myself to be in that position.

"I realise Anne Lakey manipulated me and caused me to tell lies to my parents, something I deeply regret."

Outside court, John Dilworth, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS, praised the bravery of the two victims in giving evidence.

"Mrs Lakey manipulated the youthful naivety of both of these young men for her own sexual gratification," he said.

"By persisting with her denial of guilt throughout both the investigation and prosecution of this case, she has prolonged the process for both victims.

"I appreciate that this outcome will involve mixed emotions for the two victims of Mrs Lakey's actions but I would hope that the sentence passed upon her today brings a measure of closure for both of them.

"I hope that this case provides further reassurance to anyone who has been a victim of sexual offences, no matter how much time may have passed, that police and prosecutors will continue to work together to bring those responsible to justice."