Teacher jailed for abduction

Birch admitted he had abducted the teenager

A secondary school teacher who ran off with a 14-year-old girl has been jailed for five months.

Matthew Birch, 27, admitted abducting the teenager who is a pupil at the school where he taught.

He has since been suspended after he and the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, ran off.

They spent the day in London and police later found the girl at Birch's home near Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

The magistrate told Birch she was imposing a custodial sentence because of the "very serious nature of the offence".

He should have realised it was leading down a path which would end in tears, he should have backed off Defence lawyer

She said: "You were fully aware of the proper child-teacher relationship."

The court heard that the pair had exchanged suggestive and flirty text messages on mobile phones.

Birch's father, the Rev Richard Birch, minister of North Bradley Baptist Church was present throughout the proceedings but made no comment about the jailing.

Emmalyne Downing, prosecuting, said the girl had memorised Birch's mobile number which he had given out to pupils at the beginning of the Easter holiday and began texting him.

Birch arrives at court with his father, the Rev Richard Birch

This culminated in a surprise visit to London during which Birch paid for everything, including a trip on the London Eye.

In an interview with police, Birch said he was intending to drive her home that evening but police found the girl had a change of underwear and a camera with her.

He also said she had "hinted" at staying overnight with him and sent a sexually suggestive message.

Birch told police she had sent him a text saying she fancied him and he reciprocated but only because: "She was in a fragile state and he didn't want to upset her."

She told officers the relationship felt a bit weird and after sending a flirty letter she "was a bit scared about what he was going to do".

'Backed off'

Roger Stanbury, defending, said Birch had been a good teacher who had paid a high cost for his mistake.

"Perhaps 30 years ago or so a teacher taking a pupil under their wing may have been praised but now teachers have to be far more sensitive."

"But he should have realised it was leading down a path which would end in tears, he should have backed off."

Wiltshire County Council said Birch had been suspended following the incident in April and would be dealt with once the court case was concluded.