A FORMER religious education teacher accused of indecently assaulting a pupil told a court he was blackmailed into handing over £1,500 to his alleged victim.

Neil Turpin, 66, of Victoria Avenue, Chatburn, is charged with three counts of indecently assaulting the former pupil at Hollins High School, Accrington, between September, 1990, and December, 1992.

Turpin gave evidence at Preston Crown Court yesterday. The jury in the case was expected to consider its verdict today.

Turpin told the court the alleged victim had demanded £2,000 from him and threatened to tell people he had put his hand down his trousers if he did not pay.

The former head of year, who had taught at the school since 1965, said he had paid the boy, who can not be named for legal reasons, £1,500 but said he should have acted differently.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, told the court that head teacher Frank Havard had said in a police statement that he asked Turpin what he had done and he replied "I put my hand down his trousers."

But Turpin said he had been panic stricken at the time and might have said that but meant to say: "He alleged I put my hand down his trousers."

Turpin was suspended from the Hollins Lane school in December 2000 the day before he was due to retire. He was arrested on June 19 2001.

The court heard how the alleged victim had telephoned Turpin at the school a week before the suspension and said he wanted to see him. Turpin said it was not unusual for former pupils to visit and the pair met.

He said the victim then asked to be driven to a pub in Clayton-le-Moors and during the drive said: "I could get you in trouble for what you did at school" before touching him improperly.

Turpin, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, said "I was absolutely panic stricken. I was mainly concerned with my reputation and the reputation of the school and my friends, family and the church.

"I might have been naive but I knew it didn't matter whether I was guilty or not -- once it got in the public domain I was finished."

He said he asked the boy if it was about money and after some haggling he wrote a cheque for £1,500 to the boy.

The following week he said the boy arrived at the school again and told him he had recorded their conversation and another person had heard it. Turpin said he told the boy he would give him no more money and if he had anything on him he should go to the police.

Mr Lamberty asked Turpin why he did not just drive the boy to the police station at that time.

He replied: "I thought he would forget it. I should have driven him to the police station but there was no knowing what he would have said as he is so clever and manipulative. He could have said I had raped him or anything."

Turpin said he then told headteacher Frank Havard that the boy was blackmailing him. Police were informed and Turpin lodged a complaint of blackmail which has been put on hold until after the trial.

When asked by Rani Kaur, defending, why he thought the allegations had been made Turpin said he had been known as the school money lender if pupils had lost bus fare or had no dinner money. He said: "All I can think is he was trying to get his own back as I would not give him any more money." He said the boy had become aggressive when, as a pupil, he was refused any more money from Turpin.

Colleagues of Turpin who gave evidence described him as a teacher regarded by pupils, staff and parents as highly professional and an honest man who adhered to the rules.

(Proceeding)