A BOY had sex with a social worker in the changing rooms at a Blackburn swimming pool, a court heard.

The teenager, when initially spoken to by police, stated claims of a sexual relationship with Lisa Smith were untrue.

But giving evidence to a Preston Crown Court jury, the youth insisted that he had intercourse with her when aged 15 and that he lied in order to protect her.

Smith, 26, of Victoria Street, Wheelton, denies five charges of indecent assault relating to the teenager, plus another 11 relating to another youth.

In addition, she had pleaded not guilty to two further charges of perverting the course of justice and witness intimidation.

The boys came into contact with her following placement at Glendale Community Home, Leyland, and it is claimed she breached her position of trust to have affairs with them.

On the third day of the trial, the 16-year-old claimed that he and Smith had given each other gifts at Christmas time and that sex occurred around half a dozen times.

He named the locations as the care home, an address where a relative often stayed, a Blackpool hotel room and the family changing room of Waves swimming centre at Blackburn.

He admitted having stayed out until the small hours while at Glendale, carrying out street robberies.

The boy said he had spoken to someone else at the home about having a relationship with Smith, but did not think that person would tell anyone.

Therefore, when he was later spoken to by two people including a detective, he felt he had to deny it.

He had been bragging and accused staff at the home of lying.

He said: "I didn't want her to get sacked, or anything like that. Now is a different thing, because I found out a lot more about her. She was lying to me."

Defence barrister Keith Harrison said: "Because she would not sleep with you, you lost the plot and you harassed her. You are quite happy to lie about her now aren't you?"

But the boy responded: "No."

The defence also suggested the youth was an accomplished liar, who had told a string of lies from September through to January this year.

It was alleged he had bombarded Smith with abusive calls, threatened to kill her and her fiance and intimidated her to go to Blackpool with him.

The boy insisted they slept together at a Blackpool hotel room in one of two visits to the resort. He stated they exchanged gifts on the second occasion.

Another boy has given evidence claiming that he too had a sexual relationship with Smith after she went into his room late at night.

(Proceeding)