A TEACHER yesterday denied groping a schoolgirl and said he was completely devastated when he heard the allegations.

Tutor Joseph Kerr told Teesside Crown Court he had never stroked the girl's bottom or made sexual remarks about her body.

The 43-year-old branded the girl's story "complete and utter rubbish" and told the jury: "It is easier for a child in school to remove a teacher than it is the other way round.

"That's the story. I don't know why she made the accusations."

Mr Kerr told the court he had been a professional actor for 15 years, appearing in TV soap Emmerdale and a Touch of Frost, before taking a teaching post at Haughton Community School, Darlington. He said he had also worked for the Prison Service and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

He is accused of touching the girl sexually in two separate incidents when he was giving her tuition.

Mr Kerr said that, at the time of one of the alleged incidents, he had been giving registration to a class of students and had not even seen the girl.

A copy of the registration form he had filled out on the day in question was handed to the jury.

The teacher, of Abbey Road, Darlington, said he was shocked when he was told of what the teenager had alleged. He said: "It was like it was not really happening. At no time did I come into contact with her, sexually or otherwise. I did not find her attractive in the slightest."

Mr Kerr denied he had commented on the girl's body and said she may have made up the allegations because he had criticised her work.

Paul Newcombe, for the prosecution, said: "You have let yourself down very badly in your job and you have taken advantage of that young girl that was in your care."

Mr Kerr replied: "I have denied all the allegations."

The trial continues.