Counselor's sexual assault trial begins

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FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The trial of a marriage counselor in Fort Worth, Texas, began with accusations she coerced a client into having sex with her, a prosecutor said.

Sheila Loven, 45, of Euless, Texas, is charged with sexual assault, and in opening statements in her trial Tuesday, prosecutor Betty Arvin said Loven counseled an Arlington, Texas, couple to the point of divorce, engaging in sex with the husband for more than two months in 2009.

It was after the husband and wife compared notes that they realized Loven deceived them, Arvin said, and after their reconciliation, Loven barraged them with telephone calls and text messages.

Seeking a charge of harassment, the couple turned to police, who filed a sexual assault charge against Loven with Tarrant County, Texas, District Attorney's Office, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Wednesday.

Adam Burny, Loven's attorney, told jurors Tuesday the case was about romance and sex between consenting adults. Loven reached out to the man, and a romance blossomed, he claimed.

Testimony continues this week in State District Court.