An ex-girls' grammar school teacher has appeared in court over historic allegations of grooming and sexually assaulting a pupil.

Carly Dear, 45, a former PE teacher at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, attended Margate Magistrates' Court last week, where she indicated a not guilty plea.

Kellie Williams for the prosecution said: "This is essentially an historical allegation of grooming and sexual assault of the complainant by a school teacher."

Ms Williams said the alleged victim had become a target for grooming by Dear, who used to live in Holdenhurst, Ashford.

Dear left the school in Buckland Road, Maidstone, in 2005.

On Thursday, October 1, she gave her address in court as Braemore Close, Thatcham, Berkshire.

She indicated a not guilty plea to five counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16, one count of abusing a position of trust by having sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 17 and another count of abusing a position of trust, by causing or inciting sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 17.

Chairman of the bench Neill Austen sent the case to Canterbury Crown Court where it will be heard in November.

Dear was granted unconditional bail. She wore a face mask to enter the court and leave the precinct.

Maidstone Grammar School for Girls has been teaching pupils from the County Town and the surrounding area for more than 130 years.

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