Pupil kiss teacher spared jail

An East Sussex teacher has been spared jail after being convicted of the indecent assault of a 15-year-old girl.

David Anderson, 42, of Rosemary Gardens, Burwash, was found guilty of kissing a pupil in his office and sending her e-mails and text messages.

The father-of-three had denied the charge at Lewes Crown Court.

Anderson was given a two-year suspended sentence because he was his children's main carer. He was ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

'Attention flattering'

Judge Guy Anthony told him that such an "enormous" breach of trust would normally incur prison.

During the trial, Hove Crown Court heard that Anderson sent the pupil numerous inappropriate text messages.

The business studies teacher had become friendly with the pupil after she went to him for extra help with coursework.

The girl, who cannot be named, said she revealed details of the relationship after becoming "freaked out".

Jurors heard Anderson had paid for extra credit on the girl's phone and had also emailed her.

He had claimed he never kissed the girl, but the girl kissed him.

He said he found the attention flattering, but it was "stupid" and he "should not have done it".

'Notorious case'

The judge told him: "People in your position of trust have to control any such attraction they may feel.

"This was a vulnerable young girl needing extra attention, and clearly from the text messages sent you were embarking on a relationship that was completely inappropriate."

On Monday, the court heard Anderson was also spoken to for allegedly sending messages to another girl.

The judge said: "You were spoken to about it, but did not take on board the advice you were given."

Defending, Denis Bradbury said: "Never again will my client be employed in teaching.

"The facts of this case are now sufficiently notorious that any education authority is going to know about it."