Former Wolverley teacher accused of raping schoolgirls in 1980s takes the stand and says accusations are 'preposterous'
A former teacher accused of raping schoolgirls in the 1980s dramatically took the stand to proclaim the accusations were "preposterous".
David Wilkinson is on trial at Worcester Crown Court charged with offences including eight counts of sexual assault of a child, two counts of rape and making an indecent photograph of a child.
The charges date back to the early 1980s when he was an English and hockey teacher at Wolverley Church of England Secondary School near Kidderminster.
The 77-year-old entered the witness box to give evidence in his own defence yesterday (Thursday).
Wilkinson told the jury he did not have sex with the complainants until they were 16 years old. He said he distinctly remembered waiting until one of the girl's 16th birthday night to consummate the relationship.
In law, even consensual sex between an adult and a person under the age of 16 is classed as statutory rape. Wilkinson, now of Vinsac, Le Vigeant, France, stressed he had not had sexual relations with the complainants when they were 15.
