A MUSIC teacher has denied sexually abusing students during private lessons.

Ian Huw Garland, 30, pleaded not guilty at Dorchester Crown Court to four charges of sexual activity with a 15-year-old boy between March and September 2006.

Garland, of Stonechat Close, Weymouth, also denied two charges of indecent assault against a girl, aged 12, between December 2000 and December 2001 and again between December 2002 and December 2003, when she was 14.

Prosecutor Robert Griffiths said Garland was a music teacher and choir conductor and had learned a male pupil was feeling confused about his sexuality.

Mr Griffiths said Garland told the boy he could trust and talk to him but, Mr Griffiths said, it was 'an excuse to seduce him'.

Jurors heard that ordinary text messages sent by Garland about music classes became 'a bit more flirtatious' with the defendant telling the boy he looked 'hot' or 'sexy' in some of them.

Mr Griffiths said the first charge relates to an allegation that Garland put his arms around the boy and kissed him on the mouth during a singing lesson.

After this Garland began talking about going on trips to London with the boy and said he had cheated on his wife with both men and women, the jury heard.

Jurors heard that at another singing lesson the boy had become upset and tearful and Garland had hugged and tried to kiss him a second time but the boy refused.

Mr Griffiths said things became 'more serious' after this and that Garland had performed a sex act on the boy twice after this.

Jurors also heard Garland told a female student, 12, she looked nice during classes and had run his hand and a conductor's baton over her leg on more than one occasion.

On another occasion Garland got the girl to lie down on the floor and ran his hands over her body until she asked him to stop and take her home, the jury was told.

Mr Griffiths said Garland told police in an interview that he was a married man and not gay.

Jurors heard that police computer experts later found a number of pornographic images on his machine, including gay pornography and images of an adult woman stripping.

Giving evidence about his relationship with Garland after the second alleged sex act, the boy said: "I think he knew I was too ashamed to tell anyone and was using this to his advantage."

The boy said Garland sent him a text after the alleged incident asking: "Do you regret that?"

The boy said he did not fully know what his feelings were at the time but felt 'threatened' by the situation.

The trial continues.