November 2, 200718 yr Lesbian tennis coach jailed for nearly three years over affair with 13-year-old pupil Last updated at 12:26pm on 2nd November 2007 Comments Tennis coach Claire Lyte was sentenced to two years and nine months today after being convicted on four counts of sexual activity with a 13-year-old girl. Lyte, 29, from Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, was also banned indefinitely from working with children. She was caught performing a sex act on the child, her pupil at the Lawn Tennis Association academy, by the youngster's mother. She was convicted last month following a two-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court during which the jury was told Lyte and the youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, shared hotel rooms during tournaments. Lyte had also worn the child's knickers. Scroll down for more... Claire Lyte arriving at court today, where she was sentenced to two years and nine months Today the former top 500 player was beginning a new life in jail. Sentencing, Judge Nigel Gilmour QC said Lyte's lies were a "wicked" conspiracy against her victim's family. He criticised Lyte for trying to avoid justice by claiming the victim's mother invented allegations against her because the girl was not good enough to turn professional. He also said her parents had lied in their evidence. He said: "In attempting to escape conviction you alleged that three generations of the victim's family were all part of a wicked conspiracy to get you convicted of crimes you hadn't committed. "The jury rejected those wicked allegations of yours. "There wasn't and never has been such a conspiracy by the family. "The jury accepted the victim and her family were substantial witnesses of truth and could be relied upon." Referring to Lyte's parents Colin and Gillian, he added: "I am sure your parents in all other respects are wholly admirable members of society, but have given lying evidence to the jury, no doubt at your request and encouragement." Scroll down for more... Lyte won Lawn Tennis Association coach of the year During the court case the girl's mother dabbed at tears as she described the incident in October 2005 when she came home unexpectedly and allegedly found them in bed together. "My daughter jumped up and ran off and Claire pulled the bed sheet over her head," she said. "Claire stayed in the bed under the sheet, and I shouted at both of them to get some clothes on and come downstairs. "I was screaming at Claire, "Get out, what have you done, what have you done to my child, you are nothing but a paedophile". "They came downstairs dressed, and my daughter sat down in a chair and curled into a ball. Claire sat with her head in her hands. "Claire just kept telling me she loved my daughter. I kept saying, "She is 13". My daughter just cried and cried." She said after talking for hours, Lyte agreed to cease coaching her daughter and distance herself from her. When police raided Lyte's home they found clothing allegedly belonging to the girl. These included a pair of pink knickers with her name tag sewn into them which were shown to the jury.
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