Teacher jailed over indecency

Ian Sarginson was a maths teacher

A teacher who engaged in "gross corrupt behaviour" with a schoolboy has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Former maths teacher Ian Sarginson, 44, committed the offences over a two-year period.

At Taunton Crown Court on Friday, Mr Recorder Brian Lett said Sarginson, of Wellington, Somerset, had indulged in behaviour that was "abhorrent to society".

He said the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered "considerable emotional confusion and distress".

At a previous hearing, Sarginson had pleaded guilty to four counts of gross indecency with a boy under 14.

Prosecuting, John Edmonds, told the court the offences took place when Sarginson offered the pupil private tuition at his flat.

Contrary to school rules, the headmaster was not told about the arrangement, he said.

Mr Edmonds said similar episodes happened on at least three further occasions.

In mitigation, Tim Haydon, said: "At the time, Mr Sarginson had a chronic problem with alcohol."

Sarginson will remain on licence for three years after his prison sentence to complete a sex offender's programme.

He will also have to sign the Sex Offenders' Register.