Sally-Anne Bowen, 65, is on trial at Harrow Crown Court, facing seven counts of indecent assault against two former pupils of Christ's College in Finchley, north London, during the 1980s. Prosecutors allege Bowen, who taught chemistry, wore short skirts and tight tops to entice the boys, who were 14 or 15 at the time, into sexual relationships.
Bowen testified that she did not dress suggestively and that her skirts were not mini-skirts, stating they were "shorter than I'm wearing now" but "not very short." She told the jury that as a woman in her mid-20s in the 1980s, she would not have dressed like Margaret Thatcher, who served as Prime Minister for much of the decade.
One of the complainants alleges he had sexual relations with Bowen approximately 20 to 30 times over several months, stating he believed they were in a relationship and would visit her home. Bowen denies these allegations, calling them a "total fabrication" and "the workings of a fantasy." She suggested the former pupil may have had a crush on her.
Bowen also addressed claims that she discussed inappropriate topics with students. A former pupil testified that Bowen had once reviewed a Kama Sutra manual in class and discussed sexual positions. Bowen denied this, stating she had never seen students looking at pornography and that the only magazine she confiscated was a football magazine. She acknowledged wanting to be liked by students as it was her first teaching job but denied treating the boys as friends or discussing inappropriate subjects.
The second complainant alleged he kissed Bowen once in a cafe and touched her breasts, actions he claims were instigated by other boys. Bowen stated she does not remember this student.
The trial continues.