"I always thought I was a good teacher, I still do..." teacher accused of abusing children by touching their hair or shoulders denies sexual intent

A former teacher accused of playing with female students’ hair and touching their shoulders at school denied having any sexual intent. Anthony Hook, 62, is on trial accused of sexually assaulting eight girls while he was employed at a Greater Manchester school, where he worked for almost two decades.

He has pleaded not guilty to a series of sexual offences, and became visibly emotional as he gave evidence in his defence on Monday. Mr Hook, a married father-of-two, admitted he sometimes touched pupils' hair or their shoulders but denied he had a sexual motivation. The school where he worked cannot be named for legal reasons.

"I didn't come into teaching to upset anybody or to assault anybody," he told jurors at Minshull Street Crown Court. "I came to add something to their lives.

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"I kind of think sometimes, it turns out I was completely wrong, with a bit of physical connection it kind of affirms that I am there to try and help them. That's all it has ever been."

"Has your conduct towards your students ever been sexual?," he was asked by his barrister. "Never, ever," Mr Hook replied. "I have two daughters.

"I am sorry that somebody seems to think that there is or was."

Part way through the trial, which began last week, Mr Hook was found not guilty of one count of having sexual activity with a child on the judge's direction.

One complainant had accused him of touching her breast, but the judge ruled that he should be acquitted of that charge due to a lack of evidence. Giving evidence, Mr Hook told how he'd previously served in the Army as a vehicle mechanic before becoming a weapons specialist.

He later changed professions and