Teacher cleared of pupil sex abuse

A teacher has been cleared of raping a female pupil from the age of 11.

Mohammed Akorley, 42, from Honor Oak, south east London, was found not guilty of eight charges of rape and one of indecency with a child by a jury at the Old Bailey.

The father-of-three had been accused of starting a six-year relationship with the pupil when he was her English and history teacher at a school in Dulwich.

But Akorley denied there was ever any sexual relationship between them.

Sarah Forshaw QC, defending Akorley, told the jury the woman's account contained many inconsistencies.

The woman, who is now in her 20s, has a history of emotional problems and was previously diagnosed with mental illness.

In her closing remarks to the jury, Miss Forshaw said: "This is a case where there is no support for the claimant's case in circumstances where, if what she says is true, you would expect there to be.

"All we have got is a girl who from a young age has had mental health issues."

PA