A former English and drama teacher at an exclusive private school engaged in sexual activity with a “emotionally vulnerable” pupil after directing him in a play, a jury has heard.

Simon Taylor, 78, who taught at Winchester college, “fell in love” with the male pupil, inviting him round to his house, where he kissed and cuddled him, the court heard.

Winchester college, which was founded in 1382, is one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in England and charges boarding pupils almost £52,000 a year.

The city’s crown court was told that Taylor, who taught between 1990 and 2013, allegedly invited the student for tea and a chat. He is accused of kissing and cuddling him on numerous occasions, before declaring his love.

Taylor denies two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

Tim Moores, prosecuting, said the alleged offences took place in the mid2000s. The student, who was 16 or 17, was struggling with his studies and under emotional strain, the prosecutor said.

“He alleges that during some of those visits when they were on the sofa the defendant would lean over and kiss him on the lips while cuddling him.

“The defendant was in a position of trust in relation to him because he was his teacher. In those circumstances any form of sexual touching of him is prohibited.”

In May 2021, Taylor messaged his ex-student “out of the blue”, saying he’d been thinking about their “Winch days” and wanted to “follow up”, the jury heard.

The former student reported the allegations to the police in September 2021 and Taylor was questioned. The court heard Taylor allegedly messaged his former student afterwards, saying: “Please let us reconcile and we can resolve this without lawyers and courts.”

In a police interview, the ex-pupil described himself as “emotionally vulnerable” and said Taylor had his favourites.

“He [Taylor] had this wildly romantic outlook on the world. I think he believed that love triumphs all and that because he loved me that was the most important thing and that as long as his love was pure that made it OK – which I think was naive and arrogant.”

The complainant said he had spoken out because he wanted to ensure what he had allegedly gone through did not happen to anyone else.

“There are other young people Simon has access to now because he is still involved in theatre so this is to make sure I’ve done my part,” he said.

The trial continues.