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Wiltshire teacher Mark Westcott jailed for pupil sex | Wiltshire teacher Mark Westcott jailed for pupil sex |
(about 21 hours later) | |
A teacher who had sex with one of his students has been jailed for 16 months. | A teacher who had sex with one of his students has been jailed for 16 months. |
Mark Westcott, 48, began the relationship with the girl when she was 16, Swindon Crown Court heard. | |
Westcott, of North Wraxall, Wiltshire, admitted three charges of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust. | Westcott, of North Wraxall, Wiltshire, admitted three charges of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust. |
The relationship started when the girl, who was taking her GCSEs at a school in the Bath area, went to the married teacher for pastoral support. | |
The court heard the relationship happened between February and October this year. | |
The two first kissed on a school ski trip and first slept together at a Travelodge hotel near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, the court heard. | The two first kissed on a school ski trip and first slept together at a Travelodge hotel near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, the court heard. |
'Engagement ring' | 'Engagement ring' |
Prosecutor Siobhan Linsley said: "In September he gave her a ring which they regarded as an engagement ring and he regarded himself as Mr Westcott and his fiancee." | Prosecutor Siobhan Linsley said: "In September he gave her a ring which they regarded as an engagement ring and he regarded himself as Mr Westcott and his fiancee." |
The relationship began to cool by the autumn as the girl began seeing someone else, the court heard. | The relationship began to cool by the autumn as the girl began seeing someone else, the court heard. |
However, they continued to see each other and had a sexual encounter days before police arrested Westcott in October. | However, they continued to see each other and had a sexual encounter days before police arrested Westcott in October. |
The relationship was first reported to police after the NSPCC received an anonymous call and a pupil later told another teacher that the girl was seeing someone. | |
Charles Row, defending, said Westcott was sorry for what he had done. | Charles Row, defending, said Westcott was sorry for what he had done. |
"He has let so many people down, himself, his family and the teaching profession," he said. | "He has let so many people down, himself, his family and the teaching profession," he said. |
"He is ashamed for his failure of resolve, self control, and bluntly, his will." | "He is ashamed for his failure of resolve, self control, and bluntly, his will." |
Mr Row said Westcott had tried to end the relationship in the summer but failed. | Mr Row said Westcott had tried to end the relationship in the summer but failed. |
"He admits he was the adult and for some unknown reason he couldn't stop himself," he said. | "He admits he was the adult and for some unknown reason he couldn't stop himself," he said. |
'Good references' | 'Good references' |
Jailing Westcott, Judge Douglas Fields said: "This is a very, very serious case. | Jailing Westcott, Judge Douglas Fields said: "This is a very, very serious case. |
"You were a man - until the early months of this year - of impeccable character. | "You were a man - until the early months of this year - of impeccable character. |
"I have never read such good references of someone who stands before me in the dock. | "I have never read such good references of someone who stands before me in the dock. |
"You behaved in an entirely inappropriate way." | "You behaved in an entirely inappropriate way." |
Det Insp Mike Williams, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "My thoughts are with the victim of this investigation. | Det Insp Mike Williams, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "My thoughts are with the victim of this investigation. |
"She would perhaps not see herself as a victim, but Mr Westcott formed a sexual relationship with her when she was a school pupil and he worked in a position of trust as a teacher employed by the school." | "She would perhaps not see herself as a victim, but Mr Westcott formed a sexual relationship with her when she was a school pupil and he worked in a position of trust as a teacher employed by the school." |
Westcott, who has separated from his wife, was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. | Westcott, who has separated from his wife, was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. |
He was suspended by the school when he was arrested and has since been sacked. | He was suspended by the school when he was arrested and has since been sacked. |
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