A Muslim woman who teaches children the Koran has been accused of having sex with a boy aged 14.
Hani Hersi, 36, appeared at Wood Green Crown Court in London (pictured) this week.
It is alleged she had sexual intercourse with the child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, between December 2014 and January 2015.
According to the charges against her, Hersi also kissed the boy on multiple occasions when she ‘didn’t reasonably believe that he was of or over the age of 16’.
Hersi covered her face and hair with a black veil but removed it before entering the dock, where she pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child.
The judge, Rosa Dean, demanded to know why an Arabic interpreter had been booked for London-based Hersi, pointing out that she had not required one at her previous court appearance.
When Hersi’s legal team asked their client if she needed an interpreter, she replied: “Some kind of words I don’t understand.”
Judge Dean told the court: “It’s rather unusual and it’s going to be quite a sensitive case.”
She told the defendant: “The trial will take place in August and in the meantime you have to comply with your bail condition.”
Hersi was photographed wearing her veil when leaving the court.