A former chemistry teacher is on trial accused of sexually abusing two teenage boys between 1986 and 1988, Harrow Crown Court has heard. Sally-Anne Bowen, 64, faces eight counts of indecent assault related to incidents involving two students who were 14 to 15 years old at the time.

Prosecutor Madeleine Wolfe told the jury that Bowen, then 25 and in her first teaching job, allegedly engaged in flirtatious conduct and sexual relationships with both boys, exploiting her position of trust and authority. The prosecution contends that any apparent agreement from the boys was not genuine consent due to her position.

Bowen denies all charges, asserting a medical condition during the period in question made sexual intercourse impossible. She claims any allegations of a sexual relationship are pure fantasy.

Allegations Regarding First Student

The court heard that Bowen allegedly had sexual intercourse with the first student between 20 and 30 times. The prosecution detailed that Bowen made the boy feel "special" and spent lunchtimes and bus rides with him. The relationship reportedly progressed from kissing to sexual intercourse, with the student believing he was in a romantic relationship with Bowen.

During one incident, the boy recounted Bowen showing him a pornographic magazine, pointing to an image of a woman, and stating that woman's genitalia resembled her own. This led to a sexual encounter at her flat. The student also reported other instances of sexual activity, including masturbation on a Tube carriage and sex at a friend's house. He told the court he believed he had "fallen in love" with her.

Bowen reportedly told the student he was "definitely not a virgin now" after their second sexual encounter. The student's mother became suspicious and contacted Bowen, who denied any wrongdoing. The student was sent away, but his mother later learned Bowen was no longer working at the school without explanation.

Bowen, when interviewed in 2015, described the first student as a "nuisance" and "besotted" with her, claiming he sometimes followed her home. She denied allowing him into her flat or engaging in any sexual relationship.

Allegations Regarding Second Student

The second student came forward after reading about a Teaching Regulation Authority hearing concerning Bowen. He recalled Bowen, whom he described as "young and attractive," during lunchtime interactions. He claimed classmates goaded him into kissing her, and that Bowen leaned in to kiss him.

He also recounted touching her breasts and placing his hand near her crotch without negative reaction from Bowen. The prosecution stated that the second student recalled inappropriate conversations about pornographic magazines with Bowen and a number of occasions when they kissed. This kiss was described as not deep or passionate but repeatedly inappropriate given Bowen's position.

Bowen told police she could not recall the second student, denied kissing him, and stated she always dressed professionally. She reiterated her claim of a medical condition making sex impossible during the period in question.

Bowen, of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, denies six counts of indecent assault against the first boy and two counts against the second. The trial is ongoing.