A FEMALE teacher repeatedly had sex with a "vulnerable" 14-year-old pupil in her car while in an "unhealthy" relationship with her, a court heard.

Ellie Pattison, 29, allegedly became friends with the schoolgirl while teaching in a secondary school.

The teacher made her believe she had fallen "in love", it was said.

Hove Crown Court heard Pattison twice had sex with the pupil in her car and in two of her friend's homes.

She also allegedly repeatedly touched the teen and kissed her after they began meeting outside her school.

Sarah Lindop, prosecuting, said: "She abused her position of trust but also made the complainant, who was a vulnerable child, believe it was a real relationship and that she loved her.”