Middleton teaching assistant accused of sexual assault

A Rochdale teaching assistant 'snogged' a 16-year-old girl after he sent a sexually suggestive text message, a court has heard.

Anthony Jennings, 39, made his victim feel 'sick' when he allegedly kissed her, Manchester Minshull Street Court heard.

Jennings, of Boothroyden Close, Middleton, denies one count of sexual activity with a child on 13 November 2007.

39-year old Jennings also commented that that the schoolgirl had 'nice knees' and sent her a text message saying that he missed her.

Jennings was often in sole charge of pupils at the Greater Manchester school at which he worked (which can not be named for legal reasons), in his role providing training as an officer in the Combined Cadet Force, as well as working as an IT technician.

Jennings' first contact with the schoolgirl came via a text message, which suggested that a schoolboy 'wants lots of snogs and wants you to play his oboe'.

On 13 November 2007 Jennings invited the girl into his office to show her a computer timetable because she needed to track down a teacher. As the schoolgirl was leaving the office, the prosecution in the trial argues that Jennings stepped towards her and kissed her.

Prosecutor Mark Monaghan said: "She was very shocked. He pulled away and said something like 'I'm old enough to be your dad, what am I doing?'"

The girl told a friend about the supposed incident and the next day they told a teacher.

At the time of police questioning, Mr Monaghan said that Jennings had admitted sending the text messages but denied kissing the girl.