MUSIC TEACHER JAILED FOR SEX WITH PUPILS
Today, a 24-year-old music teacher from Blackpool in Lancashire received an 18-month prison sentence after having sexual relations with two 15-year-old female students.Christopher Smith, who instructed students in a school's jazz band, developed a friendship with the girls after a school trip last Easter, Preston Crown Court was told.
He kept in regular contact with the minors via mobile phones and emails outside of school hours.
During the summer, what started as friendship evolved into sexual relationships, the court revealed.
Smith engaged in sexual acts with Girl A on eight occasions—five times inside his car and three times in his home while his girlfriend was away.
He also had sex 17 times with Girl B, at his home and in his car, which led to multiple pregnancy scare incidents, the court heard.
Prosecutor Jacob Dyer stated that the relationship with Girl A became strained around September last year, and that Girl B also participated in the jazz band and met Smith on Monday nights under similar circumstances.
The mother of Girl B demanded a meeting with Smith after hearing rumors of a sexual affair.
Both teenagers later admitted to police that they had engaged in sexual activity with Smith during interviews.
Smith confessed to the offenses during a police interview on February 17.
In a previous hearing, he pleaded guilty to seven counts of unlawful sexual intercourse involving the two girls.
Defense solicitor Rachael Woods noted that Smith was not officially a teacher but served as a technician and musical instructor.
She described him as an emotionally immature individual who acknowledged that his conduct was wrong.
Judge Peter Openshaw, acting as the case’s presiding officer, sentenced Smith to nine months for each count involving Girl A and Girl B, to be served consecutively.
He also ordered Smith to register as a sex offender and to be restricted from working with children for at least ten years.
During sentencing, Smith was seen crying and collapsing in the dock.
The judge emphasized the duty of educators and guardians to ensure children's safety and highlighted that sexual relationships of this nature breach that trust.
He stated that Smith had exploited his position and must be held accountable.
The sentence aimed to serve as a deterrent and to reinforce moral standards within society, as well as to protect young females from similar abuse.
