Southampton teacher trial told Peter Morse was 'very flirty'

The complainant was giving evidence against Peter Morse, 50, who is facing three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child in 2001.

The alleged victim said one of the incidents took place at the defendant's home.

Peter Morse was working at Bitterne Park School when he allegedly committed the offences (Image: Newsquest.)

Describing it as her first sexual experience, she told Southampton Crown Court: "He took his clothes off. I was overwhelmed at that point. I was definitely shaking."

On another occasion, she said, the former Bitterne Park School teacher kissed her in his car.

READ MORE: Southampton teacher Peter Morse trial: Woman tells of 'trauma'

READ NEXT: Southampton teacher Peter Morse accused of sexual activity with girl

Cross-examined by Gemma White, representing Morse, she denied being infatuated with Morse but admitted having a crush on him at the time.

She added: "He encouraged the crush. It was very much led, and I reciprocated."

Peter Morse has gone on trial at Southampton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

The court heard that in 2014 she viewed the defendant's LinkedIn profile "several times" and the two made contact a few years later.

She told the court: "I realised I still had a lot of questions. It was all about saying the things I needed to say so I can heal from this.

"I tried to get closure and unpick 20 years of trauma."

But Ms White said: "For a significant period of time, from school all the way through to 2018, you sought out contact with Mr Morse.

"You were infatuated with him, just as you were as a teenager.

"All the things you have described amount, in effect, to teenage infatuation and fantasy that you have embellished over the years."

The witness replied: "That's incorrect."

Her mother said her daughter called her in 2020 and described an incident in her teens in which Morse allegedly put her up against a door or wardrobe and tried to kiss her.

"There was another incident but she didn't go into detail - I was more concerned with her wellbeing," she said.

"It was very difficult for me to process at the time, my mind was all over the place."

One of the alleged victim's best friends said Morse was "very flirty" with the complainant and once made inappropriate comments about her "looking good" in her swimsuit. She added: "She was still at school. That's why it felt so wrong."

Morse, of Providence Park, Southampton, denies the allegations and the trial continues.