A SOCIAL worker accused of grooming and sexually assaulting a teenage boy has categorically denied the charges.

Samantha Hesler told jurors that she never had a sexual relationship with the boy more than 20 years ago and had no sexual interest in her accuser.

The 50-year-old also denied touching his genitals over his clothing or putting a condom on him in the late 90s when he would visit her Middlesbrough home.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Hesler regularly allowed local youths into her home but denied she letting them smoke and drink while there.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, alleges that Hesler bought him cigarettes, booze and computer games during their three year sexual relationship.

Giving evidence on the third day of her trial, Hesler accepted that she and her then husband would take teenagers with them when they went to car shows around the country but denied any wrongdoing.

The defendant described her accuser as someone who liked to be ‘centre of attention’ and would sulk if he didn’t get his own way.

Defence counsel, Deborah Smithies, asked Hesler if she had ever had a sexual relationship with her accuser. “No,” she replied.

“Were you attracted to him?” she asked. “no,” she replied.

She asked her client: “Have you ever threatened him that he shouldn’t say anything about a sexual relationship with you?”

She replied: “No, I wouldn’t do that.”

Miss Smithies asked: “Have you ever touched his genitals over his clothing?”

The defendant replied: “No.”

The counsel asked: “Have you ever placed a condom on him?”

Again the defendant simply replied: “No.”

The claims of abuse only came to light when the alleged victim broke down when his wife told him she wanted to be a social worker and he told her what had happened when he was a teenager, the court heard.

Hesler, of The Dorkins, Great Broughton, near Stokesley, denies two charges of sexual assault on the teenager when he was aged around 13-14.

Under cross examination from Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, told jurors that she was never caught under a duvet by one of the teenager’s friends when they were in her home.

Mr Dodds asked whether she took every opportunity to have sex with the teenager during her ‘violent marriage’.

The accused simply replied: “No.”

Earlier in the trial, the alleged victim told jurors that he only ended the three-year relationship when he caught Hesler kissing another young boy while they were sitting in a hot tub.

Under cross examination from Miss Smithies, the alleged victim denied being inspired by a storyline in television programme Emmerdale inspired him to make the claims of sexual assault.

The judge is expected to sum up the evidence in the morning before the jury goes out to consider its verdict.

The trial continues.

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