Bexleyheath Academy teacher Stuart Kerner denies sex with pupil

A married religious studies teacher accused of having sex with a pupil has insisted the affair "did not happen".

Stuart Kerner, 44, is accused of having sex with the girl, then 15, at Bexleyheath Academy, south east London, during an 18-month affair.

It was claimed Mr Kerner drove her to his home for sex.

He denies two counts of sexual activity with a child and six counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

Mr Kerner, of Aylesford, Kent, told Inner London Crown Court the affair with the girl - who cannot be named for legal reasons but is a former student of the school - never happened.

He said he was shocked when police searched his home in January 2013 and then questioned him over the allegations.

Mr Kerner, who wore a smart black suit as he gave evidence, said: "I was taken to the police station. It was a new experience to say the least."

Asked how he felt, Mr Kerner said: "It was like, 'What the hell?'

"I couldn't remember my own name by that stage because I had been interviewed for quite a long time and I had just two-and-a-half hours' sleep and I had been locked up and searched."

Asked by defence lawyer Edward Ellis if he took the student back to his home to have sex, Mr Kerner said: "No I didn't."

The teacher admitted that he stuck his tongue out at pupils, but insisted this was not sexual.

He said: "I stuck my tongue out and blew raspberries at students and staff all the time."

The trial continues.