Former Northamptonshire teacher who had sex with teenage pupil jailed

Nicholas Reynolds, aged 39, appeared at Northampton Crown Court and pleaded guilty to four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a teenage girl when he was in a position of trust.

The court heard Reynolds was arrested after a British Transport Police officer saw him with the girl in his car and became suspicious about how much younger than him she looked.

Michael Coley, prosecuting, said Reynolds, who is married, had regularly taken her to different locations in Northampton where they had engaged in sexual activity.

Mr Coley said the girl told investigating officers they had sex together on at least six occasions but said it was “consensual”.

He said: “She said Reynold’s did express guilt and told her he could not allow the relationship to become physical.

“There were thoughts between them that they were in love with each other.”

James Scobie QC, mitigating, said Reynold’s actions were “very out of character”.

He said: “He has lost everything and he has lost his self respect.

“He knows full well that what he did was an appalling breach of trust. He will never be able to teach again.”

Judge Rupert Mayo, sentencing, said: “You knew what you were doing was wrong.

“No parent of teenage age would want them to have sex with their teacher”

Reynolds, of Shenley Lodge, Milton Keynes, was given a nine month jail sentence. He is likely to serve half before being released on licence.