A teacher has been convicted of tying a boy to her bed and blindfolding him before performing a sex act.

Deborah Franklin, 65, who worked at a preparatory school in Hertfordshire, was found guilty of eight counts of gross indecency against the boy during the 1990s when he was between nine and 12 years old.

Franklin, who was in her 30s and married at the time, became the boy’s private tutor and reportedly subjected him to “repeated sexual activity.” Prosecutors allege that she undressed in front of the boy, kissed him, made him touch her and carried out multiple sexual acts at both his residence and hers, reports Daily Star.

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Franklin, of Radlett, Hertfordshire, denies the allegations occurred, claiming she has no recollection of tutoring the boy.

She showed no emotion in the dock as the verdicts were delivered.

The defendant was remanded into custody and informed by Judge Kamran Choudhry that she faces a “high possibility” of imprisonment at her sentencing on October 1.

The court was told that Franklin was a frequent presence at the complainant’s home, with his sister describing the defendant to jurors: “She was fun, she was charismatic. I thought she was cool.”

The boy perceived her as “young” and “high energy,” who “presented like a mate” and discussed drugs, cigarettes and sex, the court was told.

Victim was abused in the 1990s

Franklin was “trusted” by the family to be alone with the boy in his room during tutoring sessions, prosecutor Gavin Pottinger stated. However, Franklin was a woman “whose boundaries were just not there”, Mr Pottinger added.

The court was told that the defendant was once discovered by the complainant’s sister beneath the covers in her brother’s bed. The accuser testified that one sexual incident occurred in the garage at his residence, where Franklin removed her clothing and asked “do you want to touch me?”, jurors were informed.

During another instance, at her own residence, Franklin tied him to her bed, blindfolded him and tickled him, the complainant testified.

The accuser stated that during another sexual act, Franklin called out her husband’s name. Jurors were told that the complainant alleged the defendant referred to herself as his “girlfriend” but cautioned him to keep their relationship hidden from others.

He came forward in 2024

He testified that he had “no memory of work ever being done” during tutoring sessions, the court was informed.

Judge Kamran Choudhry, delivering his legal instructions to the jury, noted that prosecutors argued the accuser, now in his 40s, has “consistently recounted the substance of the allegations over many years to many people”.

The complainant initially reported the incidents to police in 2024, the court was told. The judge noted that the defense’s position was that Franklin’s relationship with the boy was “entirely proper” and not “unusually close and inappropriate”.

Franklin, testifying in her defense, informed jurors it was “quite common for teachers and parents and children to socially interact”.

Mr Pottinger questioned her: “Did you in fact remember (the boy) a good deal more than you are admitting to?”.

The defendant replied: “No.”

Mr Pottinger questioned: “You are choosing, still choosing, not to remember anything that happened in those years aren’t you?”.

Franklin responded: “No.”

Defense barrister Aisling Byrnes asked the accused if there was “any truth” in the allegations that she sexually touched the boy during tutoring sessions.

Franklin answered: “No.”

Franklin found guilty of eight counts of gross indecency

The accused informed jurors that it wouldn’t have been “unusual” to be in a student’s bedroom or on their bed while providing tutoring.

Ms Byrnes informed the court on Wednesday that Franklin was no longer working at the school and had been involved with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) charity prior to her conviction.

Hertfordshire Constabulary stated Franklin was charged under the Indecency with Children Act 1960, which was the applicable law when the offenses occurred. This legislation was subsequently superseded by the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 1

Detective Constable Liz McGrath, who headed the investigation, stated: “Firstly, I wish to commend the bravery shown by the victim in reporting the allegations to the police and for the strength shown during the trial.

“This case demonstrates that however long ago a crime happened, we are committed to getting justice for victims. Franklin abused her position of trust and I welcome the jury’s guilty verdicts.

“We now await sentencing in October.”