Ex-head teacher 'groomed' former pupil jury hears

James Rouse pictured at a previous court appearance in January 2025

A court has heard how a former head teacher kissed a GCSE pupil before later embarking on a sexual relationship with her.

The trial of James Rouse, 49, of Lowford Hill Close in Bursledon started at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday. Mr Rouse was previously head teacher at St Anne's Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Southampton.

The court heard the case was brought as part of a wider Hampshire and Isle of Wight police investigation which was launched in 2023 following allegations of historical child sexual abuse at the school.

Mr Rouse denies a charge of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

Mr Rouse previously worked at St Anne's Catholic School in Southampton

The offence against the girl who was under 18 at the time, is alleged to have taken place prior to October 2006, while she was taking her GCSEs.

Mr Rouse was a physics teacher at the time of the alleged offence. He later rose through the ranks at the school, being appointed head teacher in 2017.

In his opening statement, prosecutor Christopher Hewertson said: "The prosecution case is that he groomed her through year 11 and onwards and deliberately made himself perhaps the most important person in her life, and he caused her to become sexually attracted to him."

The jury was told that in an interview with police Mr Rouse admitted having an 'inappropriate friendship' with the girl, but denied being sexually attracted to her.

The court was told he had become a shoulder to cry on for the girl, and a confidante for her as she faced problems in her home life.

Mr Hewertson described how Mr Rouse had contacted the girl while she was on study leave to say he was near her house.

The complainant went to meet him in a field and, after speaking to him, he leaned over and kissed her mouth to mouth.

Mr Hewertson said "This was not a saying goodbye peck on the cheek... the kiss was an important gateway in this sexual relationship with his pupil."

The jury was told once the girl turned 18 the pair went on to have a full sexual relationship but this was not being prosecuted.

The trial at Portsmouth Crown Court continues.