A RELIGIOUS education teacher from Hadleigh indecently assaulted a former pupil, a court has heard.The 16-year-old was allegedly assaulted at an address in Ipswich by teacher Frank Schmidt , a jury at Bury St Edmunds Crown Court was told.

A RELIGIOUS education teacher from Hadleigh indecently assaulted a former pupil, a court has heard.

The 16-year-old was allegedly assaulted at an address in Ipswich by teacher, Frank Schmidt, a jury at Bury St Edmunds Crown Court was told.

Schmidt, 34, of George Street, Hadleigh, denies a single count of indecently assaulting the teenager last year.

Martin Evans, prosecuting, said the committed Christian, arrived uninvited at her address one morning.

Mr Evans said he asked her for a hug: "He told her to lie down on the bed so 'I can give you a proper hug'.

"That involved, as far as he was concerned, clasping her closely to him, kissing her on the mouth, putting his tongue in her mouth and quite deliberately, according to the victim, brushing one of her breasts with his hand."

Mr Evans said the victim was "very upset" by what happened but the defendant told her to relax and she went to shower. As she returned she told him the incident should never have happened.

The court heard they spent the next few hours together but Mr Evans said: "The longer he (Schmidt) stayed, the more uncomfortable she became. She even invented a story that she had to meet a friend but he asked if he could have another hug.

"She agreed not thinking he would misbehave as before but he did misbehave a second time."

He said Schmidt pulled her down on the bed and rubbed her back. The defendant then began stroking her body "quite forcibly" before touching her with his hands and orally on intimate areas of her body.

The victim was in a "complete state of shock" and pointed out to Schmidt that he had been her teacher, said Mr Evans. But he forced himself on top of her and ordered her to kiss him.

"She did but not in a sexual manner. She then managed to get him out and he said he would visit again but added, 'nothing like this will ever happen again'."

In police interviews, Schmidt, who was arrested in November shortly after the victim reported the allegation, denied any wrongdoing.

He admitted visiting his former pupil and stressed they exchanged a "fond" hug rather than anything sexual.

The case continues.