Girl was made to act as first aid patient by accused teacher, court told

Graham Brennand, 70, of Calder Avenue, Freckleton, is accused of a string of sexual assaults, physical assaults and one of cruelty against former pupils - some dating back more than 40 years.

He is accused of 29 charges involving 17 girls and two boys at a time when he worked as a teacher and deputy head at a primary school in East Lancashire. They span a period between 1974 and 1989.

Prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, Bob Golinski said: "In your final year you were in his class.

"You obviously had dealings with him in the classroom. What is your recollection of any physical contact?"

She replied: " He used to on a daily basis check whether you were wearing a bra or not by running his finger from the top to the bottom.

"I wore a crop top rather than a bra. He used to run his finger along the hem of the crop top."

Asked when it would happen she answered: "Whenever he used to come over to the table to stand behind to check the work you were doing, whatever the subject was."

Mr Golinski asked: "If he's come to the desk where you're working there's a possibility of some sort of accidental contact - was that what this was?"

She said: " No, because he checked for a bra or crop top or whatever you were wearing, and ran his finger underneath the elastic."

She told jurors he would touch her underwear whilst holding a 'splint' at the top of her leg during a first aid class, when she was made to act as the 'patient'.

Earlier in the hearing, a man gave evidence alleging Brennand had slapped him across his head and legs, and had also locked him in a cupboard.

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