Victim sent coach intimate texts

The tennis coach denies sexually assaulting the girl from Merseyside

A girl who claims she was threatened into a sexual relationship with her lesbian tennis coach sent intimate text messages, a court has heard.

Copies of texts sent to Claire Lyte by the 15-year-old from Merseyside were given to the jury. One read: "I want to marry you and be with you forever."

Yet the girl told Liverpool Crown Court Miss Lyte forced her into the affair.

Miss Lyte, 29, of Solihull, West Midlands, denies five charges of sexual activity with a child.

The pair were allegedly discovered in bed together by the girl's mother in October 2005, a few months after the texts were sent.

I never wanted to do any of it, Lyte told me what to do The 13-year-old alleged victim, giving evidence in court

During police questioning the schoolgirl said her tennis coach had told her to send texts 'as if they were in a relationship'.

The alleged victim, who was 13 at the time, told the court: "I never wanted to do any of it, Lyte told me what to do.

"She said if I was to say anything to anybody she would hurt me and she would stop my tennis completely and would tell the academy to get rid of me."

The girl, who was coached by Miss Lyte at The Lawn Tennis Association Academy in Loughborough, admitted she had initially lied to police telling them their sexual encounter was a one-off.

The court also heard Miss Lyte, named Young Coach of the Year in 2001, had received an official warning by bosses at the tennis academy about her close relationship with the girl.

'Blessed relief'

However, she remained the girl's coach and the pair continued to attend tennis tournaments together and share accommodation for almost a year after being found in bed.

David Mason, defending, asked the girl: "If it is true that you were caught by your mother having sex with the defendant, it must have been a blessed relief. But you didn't tell anybody, you carried on, didn't you?"

The schoolgirl replied that she was "terrified" of what would happen if she told the truth.

The case continues.