'Lesbian coach's threat to ruin tennis starlet, 13, if she spoke out about their affair'

A tennis coach threatened to ruin a 13-year-old's budding career if she told anyone they were having a lesbian affair, a court heard yesterday.

Claire Lyte, 29, allegedly warned the girl to keep their illegal relationship a secret or be thrown out of the prestigious Lawn Tennis Association academy at Loughborough.

The former professional player, who played at Wimbledon and reached 101 in the world rankings, is accused of taking advantage of the youngster.

A court heard the relationship was revealed when the girl's mother found them naked in bed together.

Yesterday the girl - described as one of Britain's most promising young players - gave evidence by videolink at Liverpool Crown Court.

The 15-year-old broke down in tears as she explained why she had not exposed what was allegedly happening sooner.

"She said if I was to say anything to anybody she would hurt me and she would stop my tennis completely and would tell the academy to get rid of me," the girl said.

She insisted she had felt pressured into the relationship. "Every time something happened, I never wanted it to," she added. "It happened because I felt under pressure."

Jurors were told the girl sent Lyte intimate text messages, referring to herself as the coach's "babyface" and promising to love her for ever.

Scroll down for more...

Pressed by Lyte's barrister, David Mason, on why she initially told police the incident witnessed by her mother in October 2005 had been a one-off, the girl said: "I was still terrified of what would happen.

"I wanted to carry on with my tennis, it was always what I wanted to do."

Mr Mason told her: "You were infatuated with Claire Lyte. In reality you were friends with Claire, but there was never any sexual contact. You might have wanted it to happen, but the truth is that your mum has got you to make this up hasn't she?"

The girl replied: "No. It is all true."

Lyte, from Shirley, West Midlands, denies five counts of sexual activity with a child between May 2005 and June last year.

She claims the girl's "pushy" mother concocted the claims when her daughter failed to reach her potential and left the academy.

The trial continues.