Teacher tells of her ordeal

Thirty-nine-year-old Teresa McKenzie, of Meifod, near Welshpool, was accused at Chester Crown Court of a 14-month affair with the youngster starting when he was 16.

After less than an hour of deliberations yesterday, the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on all seven charges of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

Villagers in Meifod today spoke of their relief that the case, which had been the talk of the area, had come to a conclusion.

The two-week trial heard claims that Mrs McKenzie had sex with the boy, who cannot be named because of his age, on several occasions, including in the disabled toilets of the British Library.

They met when she began work as deputy headteacher at the Cheshire special school in February 2006, the court was told. The boy, now 18, has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, emotionally disturbed behaviour and oppositional defiant disorder.

Throughout the trial, the teacher, described in court as "highly respected", maintained her innocence.

She said the claims were invented by the boy, who was a "fantasist".

The jury was told that he had previously invented a string of other relationships and sexual encounters.

Mrs McKenzie, a mother-of-two, reading from a prepared statement outside court, said it had been a "very traumatic" time for her and her family.

She said: "I am extremely grateful to the jury for seeing the truth of the situation that I was in.

"I was dealing with a deeply disturbed and suicidal teenager who demanded exceptional care and support. I knew that I was exposing myself to risk of false accusation.

"I persevered because I was able to distract him from taking his own life.

"This case demonstrates the risk dedicated and committed teachers are prepared to take every day."

Meifod postmaster Huw Lewis said the case had been on the minds of many of the villagers.

He said: "I think people will be relieved it is over."

By Iain St John