Panel told of Connexions youth worker sex claim

A teenage girl who was allegedly pursued by a former youth club leader in Shropshire for sex delayed reporting his antics because she was scared of causing a crisis that would close a centre, a hearing was told.

Jugraj Nahal allegedly formed an "inappropriate" relationship with the­ girl soon after starting at the newly-opened Connexions 4 Youth centre in Wellington, it has been claimed.

The General Social Care Council has heard Nahal bought her a pint of lager and they had a chat about "club stuff".

But on subsequent evenings, Nahal allegedly touched her leg, asked her about her sexual preferences and also suggested she sleep over and have sex with him, the panel has been told.

The 17-year-old girl avoided the centre for months but eventually confided to club chairman Martin Young that she had received unwanted texts from Nahal, the hearing was told.

Mr Young told the hearing that the girl, now 20 and referred to as Ms A, "it would be her fault if the club failed" if she reported Nahal over the "inappropriate" relationship.

Mr Young said: "I felt there was no way that this should continue. I couldn't just sit on that information; this was a serious matter."

Nahal is accused of forming an inappropriate relationship with the teenager, buying her alcohol, discussing sexual topics with her, and suggesting they spent the weekend together and have sex. The hearing continues.