ANDREW WELSH, TEACHER FROM BOLTON, AVOIDS JAIL AFTER SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH STUDENT

In June 2014, Andrew Welsh, a 35-year-old teacher at Canon Slade School in Bolton, who was caught hiding in a drawer beneath a schoolgirl’s bed by her mother, was handed a suspended sentence. Welsh, who is married, engaged in a relationship with a Year 11 pupil after she approached him for advice, believing she was suffering from depression. The relationship ended when the girl’s mother discovered Welsh in her daughter’s bedroom.

The pupil, whose identity remains protected by legal restrictions, received several months of support from Welsh at school before their relationship developed into a sexual one. Bolton Crown Court heard that Welsh’s professional career was effectively over following his arrest. Currently, he works in sales selling windows, having struggled to find alternative employment.

Welsh confessed to engaging in sexual activities with the girl, which included sexual intercourse on two occasions, as well as kissing, cuddling, and touching, over a period of three months. The abuse took place at Welsh’s own home, the girl’s home, and in a car parked in a Sainsbury’s supermarket car park. The girl was said to have consented to the relationship.

Having worked at Canon Slade for seven years and serving as the assistant head of Year 10, Welsh admitted six counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust during an earlier hearing at Bolton Crown Court. Today, Welsh received a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He is also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, must sign the sex offenders’ register for ten years, and pay £500 in prosecution costs.

In May 2014, prior to the sentencing, Welsh had already admitted to a catalogue of sexual activities with the schoolgirl, after being found in her bedroom by her mother. His defense, represented by Nicola Gatto, highlighted that Welsh appeared genuinely taken with the girl, noting that “it appeared their relationship was of genuine affection.”

Further details revealed that Welsh had artwork by the pupil displayed at his family home in High Bank, Atherton, and had paid her £100 for her work to “boost her own ability.” The abuse occurred at various locations, including Welsh’s home, the girl’s home, and in a car. Despite the consensual nature of the relationship, Welsh’s actions resulted in the loss of his career. Ms Gatto emphasized that Welsh, who has been married with a young child and whose wife is a general practitioner, has an exemplary teaching record prior to these events but will never return to teaching again. Due to his conviction, Welsh now faces unemployment in his new role selling windows, as he has been unable to secure more suitable employment.