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Sex teacher Stuart Kerner's 'unduly lenient' sentence may be reviewed Sex teacher Stuart Kerner's 'unduly lenient' sentence may be reviewed
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The Attorney General is to consider whether a suspended sentence handed to a religious studies teacher who had a sex with a pupil should be reviewed.The Attorney General is to consider whether a suspended sentence handed to a religious studies teacher who had a sex with a pupil should be reviewed.
Stuart Kerner, 44, from Kent, received an 18-month suspended sentence for two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.Stuart Kerner, 44, from Kent, received an 18-month suspended sentence for two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.
A tweet from the Attorney General's Office said it had received complaints the sentence was unduly lenient.A tweet from the Attorney General's Office said it had received complaints the sentence was unduly lenient.
The teacher had an affair with the girl, then 16, at Bexleyheath Academy.The teacher had an affair with the girl, then 16, at Bexleyheath Academy.
The Attorney General's Office said it would be considering whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentences scheme, with a decision due by 11 February.The Attorney General's Office said it would be considering whether to refer the case to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentences scheme, with a decision due by 11 February.
Inner London Crown Court heard Kerner took the girl's virginity on a yoga mat on the floor of a school storeroom, in the same week his wife miscarried their second child.Inner London Crown Court heard Kerner took the girl's virginity on a yoga mat on the floor of a school storeroom, in the same week his wife miscarried their second child.
He later drove her to his home where the pair had sex, kissed and cuddled.He later drove her to his home where the pair had sex, kissed and cuddled.
'Gave in to temptation''Gave in to temptation'
During the trial, jurors were told what started out as a schoolgirl crush turned into an 18-month affair, which was discovered in 2013.During the trial, jurors were told what started out as a schoolgirl crush turned into an 18-month affair, which was discovered in 2013.
Kerner, of Aylesford, was found guilty by a jury last month of two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust but was cleared of four counts of the same offence and two counts of sexual activity with a child that related to alleged behaviour when the victim was only 15.Kerner, of Aylesford, was found guilty by a jury last month of two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust but was cleared of four counts of the same offence and two counts of sexual activity with a child that related to alleged behaviour when the victim was only 15.
In sentencing, Judge Joanna Greenberg QC said the victim had become "obsessed" with him.In sentencing, Judge Joanna Greenberg QC said the victim had become "obsessed" with him.
She told Kerner: "Her friends described her, accurately in my view, as stalking you.She told Kerner: "Her friends described her, accurately in my view, as stalking you.
"If grooming is the right word to use, it was she who groomed you, (and) you gave in to temptation.""If grooming is the right word to use, it was she who groomed you, (and) you gave in to temptation."
Judge Greenberg said he was "emotionally fragile" because of complications with his wife's pregnancy.Judge Greenberg said he was "emotionally fragile" because of complications with his wife's pregnancy.
Although this did not excuse his behaviour, she said it did help explain why someone with an "exemplary" character would commit such offences.Although this did not excuse his behaviour, she said it did help explain why someone with an "exemplary" character would commit such offences.
'Abusive relationship''Abusive relationship'
But critics have criticised the sentence, which is suspended for 18 months. He was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely and barred from working with children, also indefinitely.But critics have criticised the sentence, which is suspended for 18 months. He was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely and barred from working with children, also indefinitely.
Marilyn Hawes, a former teacher and founder of the charity Enough Abuse UK, which provides support for abuse victims, said the judge had been unduly lenient in her sentencing.Marilyn Hawes, a former teacher and founder of the charity Enough Abuse UK, which provides support for abuse victims, said the judge had been unduly lenient in her sentencing.
"She was still a pupil and she had a right, as did the parents or her carer, to expect she would be secure and safe in those hours in school with someone who had been given that trust, and it was a total breach of trust."She was still a pupil and she had a right, as did the parents or her carer, to expect she would be secure and safe in those hours in school with someone who had been given that trust, and it was a total breach of trust.
"I just do not understand where the judge was coming from when she says she stalked him. He abused his position.""I just do not understand where the judge was coming from when she says she stalked him. He abused his position."
And Jon Brown, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children lead for tackling sexual abuse, said Kerner had committed a gross breach of trust.And Jon Brown, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children lead for tackling sexual abuse, said Kerner had committed a gross breach of trust.
"This was an abusive relationship and young people involved in situations like this can be damaged in many ways. Teachers have a duty of care to their pupils and Kerner should have taken steps to distance himself from the girl rather than encouraging her behaviour.""This was an abusive relationship and young people involved in situations like this can be damaged in many ways. Teachers have a duty of care to their pupils and Kerner should have taken steps to distance himself from the girl rather than encouraging her behaviour."