Teen 'scared' to admit relationship with teacher - court

Jonathan Coombs, 54, denies sexual activity with a teenager between November 2022 to April 2023

A teenager denied having a sexual relationship with a 54-year-old teacher to the police because he felt "scared", a court has heard.

Drama teacher at Pencoedtre Comprehensive and involved in various drama groups at the time, Jonathon Coombs, from Barry, denies seven counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

Mr Coombs' barrister told Cardiff Crown Court the teenager denied the relationship at the time, adding the allegations against Mr Coombs were nothing more than a "malicious rumour" that began at a party.

Under cross examination, the alleged victim, who cannot be named, insisted the pair had engaged in intercourse, but that he was "embarrassed".

Defence barrister Rosamund Rutter told the court Mr Coombs was first accused of having a relationship with the teenager at a party, after the pair had an argument.

At the time, the teenager denied anything had happened between them, the court heard.

"You described this as a rumour," Ms Rutter told him "and that's just what this was, a malicious rumour".

When he explained he was embarrassed, Ms Rutter said he had lied, to which he replied: "I was scared to tell the truth."

"Nothing happened and the allegation that you had sexual relations is a lie," said Ms Rutter.

The jury heard Mr Coombs had a very distinctive mark in his groin area which would have been memorable had sexual activity taken place, Ms Rutter said, but the teenager did not mention it to the police.

"You make no mention of this... because this did not happen," she said.

"You did not have any form of intercourse with Mr Coombs."

"Yes I did," he answered.

Ms Rutter questioned whether sexual activity would have taken place in Mr Coombs' car given that the teenager would be dropped off in a residential area where people could have come out of their homes at any time.

She also queried how Mr Coombs had time to engage in the sexual activity described by the teenager given his commitments as a teacher and his busy schedule with local theatre groups.

Ms Rutter said the teenager had lied about Mr Coombs giving him money in cards and gifts.

"You didn't keep the cards he gave you?" she asked.

"I can't remember where they are," he answered.

"He never gave you a card did he," Ms Rutter replied.

The jury was told the teenager was questioning his own sexuality at the time and that Mr Coombs was someone he turned to for advice when he felt he could not talk to his parents.

"You weren't pushed into anything. You sought him out, he didn't seek you out," said Ms Rutter.

When pressed about why he had not said anything to police when the allegations first came to light the teenager said: "I was told I'd get into trouble, I was worried about what my friends would think."

He said that after going to college and meeting a new circle of friends he realised he needed to speak out.

He added: "I realised what I went through wasn't normal. I wanted to prevent it from happening to anyone else."

The trial continues.