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Jury discharged in trial of former head teacher

John Fairhall/BBC The entrance to Basildon Crown Court, which has a large glass facade with blue rims to each glass frame. A path leading to the court is in the foreground of the image, as are branches from a tree with green leaves on.John Fairhall/BBC
The trial at Basildon Crown Court was halted on Monday

Jurors have been discharged in the trial of a former head teacher and his ex-wife, accused of sexually abusing two children.

Lee Brumby, 63, was on trial at Basildon Crown Court, in Essex, alongside Elaine Brumby, 61, but proceedings were halted on Monday.

Mr Brumby, of Wellands in Witham, was suspended from Mayflower High School in Billericay when the allegations - which predated his time at the school - came to light in 2022.

The trial was suspended due to administrative difficulties and a new date was fixed for July 2025.

In November 2022, Mr Brumby denied three offences of rape of a child, two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and indecency with a child.

Mrs Brumby, of Kiln Way, Great Wakering, denied four offences of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual assault.

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