Gareth Parry, 38, told the Newcastle Crown Court that he had no idea of the meaning behind smiley and winky faces included in some messages.

Gareth Parry, 38, told the Newcastle Crown Court that he had no idea of the meaning behind smiley and winky faces included in some messages.

A teacher accused of abusing a young girl claimed he was baffled by emojis she sent him.   

Gareth Parry, 38, said that he had no idea of the meaning behind smiley and winky faces included in some messages.

Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court Parry, who the court heard has a PHD degree, was accused of ‘playing hard to get’.

The former teacher also claims he failed to notice love hearts and kisses in other messages.

Prosecutor Christine Egerton spent two hours cross examining Parry over the messages, which he admitted were ‘inappropriate’.

Parry, a former music teacher at Egglescliffe School, admitted talking to the underage girl about underwear, being in bed and Valentine’s Day.

But he denied six charges of sexual activity with a child.

However, Miss Egerton told jurors Parry been ‘caught out’ by the exchange.

‘You were playing hard to get,’ she told the defendant.

‘You were enjoying what was happening and were prompting [the exchange]. You were loving it, weren’t you?’

Parry denied that he was, telling jurors he didn’t have relations with the girl.

He added: ‘I didn’t fancy her.’ 

On Tuesday, Newcastle Crown Court heard Caroline Mead, the Cleveland Police officer leading the investigation, didn’t check out one of Parry’s alibis – citing an ‘oversight’ as the reason. 

Prosecutor Christine Egerton spent two hours cross examining Parry (pictured outside Newcastle Crown Court) over the messages, which he admitted were 'inappropriate'

Prosecutor Christine Egerton spent two hours cross examining Parry (pictured outside Newcastle Crown Court) over the messages, which he admitted were 'inappropriate'

Prosecutor Christine Egerton spent two hours cross examining Parry (pictured outside Newcastle Crown Court) over the messages, which he admitted were ‘inappropriate’

Parry, a former music teacher at Egglescliffe School (pictured), admitted talking to the underage girl about underwear, being in bed and Valentine's Day

Parry, a former music teacher at Egglescliffe School (pictured), admitted talking to the underage girl about underwear, being in bed and Valentine's Day

Parry, a former music teacher at Egglescliffe School (pictured), admitted talking to the underage girl about underwear, being in bed and Valentine’s Day

But on the seventh day of the trial, the Crown pushed Parry on the messages, which Miss Egerton claimed gave him a ‘thrill’. 

He admitted there were points during the messages – in which he continued to message her after she called him ‘sexy’ and ‘babe’ and he accepted he should have probably have stopped. 

Miss Egerton questioned why he didn’t, adding: ‘The truth is you wanted that to continue, didn’t you.’

Parry, of Stonebridge Crescent, Ingleby Barwick, replied that he did not. 

The trial continues.  

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