Teacher jailed for grooming girls

A teacher who groomed two girls with internet and text messages has been jailed for four years.

The judge at Croydon Crown Court called Iain Robertson, 25, of Kemsing, Kent, a "dangerous sexual predator".

The court heard he talked one 14-year-old girl into sending him naked photos on her phone and groped another girl.

The London school teacher admitted indecent assault and two abuse of trust counts. The police were alerted after one girl tried to kill herself.

You have cloaked your actions with the excuse of genuine love Judge Simon Pratt

The court heard Robertson lost interest in the 14-year-old girl when she could not afford to send any more messages on her phone because she had run up such a big bill.

Judge Simon Pratt said he had "cast a shadow" over the lives of the two girls.

He said he had abused a position of trust and groomed each girl.

"She (the 14-year-old girl) felt she was in love with you and you with her.

"When she could no longer afford the picture texting, it appears your attitude towards her cooled and she took an overdose.

'Distorted feeling'

"It is difficult to think of a more disappointing abuse of trust that that.

"I'm afraid you have become a dangerous sexual predator on young girls.

"You have cloaked your actions with the excuse of genuine love.

"It's that kind of distorted feeling that makes paedophiles the serious dangers that they are," Judge Pratt said.

Robertson admitted one count of indecent assault and two counts of engaging in sexual activity other than intercourse with a girl under 18 while in a position of trust.

Judge Pratt sentenced him to two-and-half years for the indecent assault and 18 months consecutive for one count of abuse.

He also imposed a further 18 months concurrent for the second abuse of trust and ordered him to stay on the sex offenders' register for life.