A MUSIC teacher accused of sexually assaulting three schoolgirls sent one of his victims 7,359 text messages in eight months, a court heard.

Kieran Hope, 32, of Keith Avenue, Wickford, faces three counts of sexual activity with a child aged between 13 and 15, three counts of sexual activity with a 16 year-old by a person in a position of trust, and one count of sexual activity with a 17 year-old by a person in a position of trust.

Prosecutor Hugh Vass, who opened his trial on Tuesday, told Chelmsford Crown Court the allegations came to light after one victim confided in her boyfriend.

She told him Hope had cuddled her, asked to kiss her, and put his hand down her top.

Hope was suspended from a school in Chelmsford after consulting with the headteacher about the claims.

A police investigation found Hope text the girl 7,359 times in eight months.

Mr Vass said: "He used to compliment her appearance. She said she was flattered."

Officers contacted another pupil after finding a report dating back to 2007, which showed her mother had raised concerns about alleged inappropriate behaviour.

At the time, Hope was advised not to engage in contact with pupils outside of school.

Mr Vass told the court the girl, who is a witness not one of the three complainants, was sent numerous flirty messages by Hope.

He said the music teacher would find subtle ways to sit next to her, and made inappropriate sexual remarks.

The other two victims contacted the police after hearing details of the accusations made against Hope.

He denies all counts.

The sexual offences are alleged to have taken place between September 2011 and April 2014.

Witnesses and the three victims are expected to begin giving evidence today.

The trial continues.