The former principal of a Worcestershire children's home accused of sex offences told a jury how one of the girl inmates, described as "a fiery young lady," took a shine to him.

Brian Gillam said the girl was sent to The Uplands in Blackwell, near Bromsgrove, because she had behaviour problems but she related to him and no one else.

"Perhaps it was because I was the boss and she thought sucking up to me would be for the best," he said. He admitted that he had a long relationship with her as her key worker and it led to sex.

Gillam, aged 62, admitted at Worcester Crown Court that some years later he had gone through a pretend wedding with her but denied he had paid for her to have an abortion.

Gillam, whose address cannot be published on the order of the court, pleads not guilty to five counts of rape, seven of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child under the age of 14. Offences are alleged against five girls.

Judge Michael Mott has instructed the jury to enter not guilty verdicts on one charge of rape, one of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child.

Frankie Laine impressions

Gillam told the court how he qualified as a butcher before going into child care and marrying his childhood sweetheart Greta. They had two sons.

She was the matron at The Uplands, where he went in 1975. It was a community home with 30-36 residents. Staff often cuddled girls on their lap but he told James Burbidge QC, defending, that this did not give him sexual pleasure.

Gillam, who gave evidence seated because of a back injury, denied having a sexual relationship with one girl while she was a resident. He had been courting another staff member, Tina Brown, and they married in 1981. This second marriage lasted only a week.

The end of the marriage was blamed on the plaintiff's persistent harassment on the telephone. He heard that she was pregnant but denied taking her to the seaside for an abortion.

He became friendly with her family and set her up in business in a mobile snack bar in a lay-by on the A38 and later in a snack bar in Worcester's indoor market.

Gillam, who said he did Frankie Laine impressions when out at a club with the girl's family, said he pretended to marry her because she had caused embarrassment by moving into his bungalow in the home's grounds. "I wanted to be seen as whiter than white, he said. "It would make it easier for me and not undermine my position."

The trial continues.