Wath man on trial accused of offering schoolgirl drugs ‘in return for sexual favours’

Wayne Tunstill (40), of Utleys Croft, Wath, is accused of sexually abusing the girl — who cannot be named for legal reasons — and offering her illegal drugs between August 2016 and August 2017.

Prosecutor Mrs Alison O’Shea told the jury yesterday (Monday) how Tunstill had offered the girl drugs “in return for sexual favours”. 

Tunstill denies assault by penetration, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual activity with a child.

He is also charged with eight counts of being concerned in the making of an offer to supply a quantity of class A and class B drugs to the girl and a teenage boy.

The prosecution say Tunstill offered to supply crack cocaine, cocaine, LSD, amphetamines and cannabis to the teenagers.

Tunstill is not charged with any sexual offences relating to the boy.

“He supplied controlled drugs, illegal drugs, at various times to both children,” said Mrs O’Shea.

She added: “Tunstill, by his own admission, when asked about his way of life, said he was in the habit of using illegal drugs, including crack cocaine.”

The girl told police Tunstill had often asked to see her breasts and, on one occasion, kissed them.

Tunstill would “cuddle” the girl and try to touch her inappropriately but she avoided the contact, Mrs O’Shea said.

The girl claims Tunstill used his mobile phone to take naked photographs of her and once asked her to perform a sexual act on him but she refused.

The trial is expected to last more than a week.