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Headlands School class supervisor Christopher Reen will face a court retrial
HEADLANDS School class supervisor Christopher Reen will face a retrial.
The Crown Prosecution Service has already contacted the court and those who represent Reen with its decision, which was announced on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old, of Carlton Street, Bridlington, denies six charges of sexual assault on a child. He denies knowing she was underage.
But he has admitted a charge of sexual activity with a child by being a person in position of trust.
His trial at Hull Crown Court ended on its third day last Thursday when the jury failed to reach a verdict.
The Crown Prosecution Service had until today to decide if it wanted to hold a retrial.
It is not yet known when that is likely to take place, but some estimates have said it could be as late as April next year.
Had the Crown felt a re-trial was inappropriate, Reen would only be dealt with for the offence he has already admitted.
The eight men and four women on the jury were discharged after four hours and 44 minutes, when the forewoman said they were deadlocked over the six counts they had been asked to consider on whether Reen knew the girl's age.
Recorder Guy Kearn QC told the court: "I have no alternative in those circumstances – sometimes these things happen – I have no alternative than to discharge you from further considerations in this trial."
Reen is currently on conditional bail.
The jury had heard he started work as a class cover supervisor at Headlands School.
Reen claimed he was duped by the girl into believing she was of legal age – when he said she looked 19.
The girl claimed he knew her age all along.
Reen admitted he was given a full induction when he began his job, in which the deputy headteacher warned him about the previous problems at the school.
But Reen admitted he fell for the "caring girl" at a time when his business and personal life was in turmoil and admitted he was not proud of what he had done.
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Weather for Bridlington
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -2 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South
