Student who had illicit relationship with teacher been left a 'shadow of herself'
25.01.2022 - 18:46
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A student who had a relationship with a teacher has been left "a shadow of herself", struggling with both alcoholism and mental health issues.
Jeremy Matthews, aged 46, formed a relationship with the girl in the early 2000s, after offering to give her a lift to a beauty spot.
Matthews, of Durham, initially claimed that the relationship happened after the student had left school, but admitted that it was while she was at college, Teesside Live reports.
Matthews pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16, whilst in a position of trust, at a hearing in November 2021.
Teesside Crown Court heard how Matthews, who is ten years older than the student, was living with his partner, who is now his wife, at the time of the relationship.
Ian West, prosecuting, told the court that it was the student's first proper relationship but more of an affair for Matthews: "She had no previous sexual experience. However with the defendant, she engaged in sex sometimes in his car and sometimes back in his flat".
"The victim says she regarded it as a loving relationship. Indeed the defendant did tell her he was in love with her".
Mr West said that Matthews told the student that he loved her, and took her to get the morning after pill when she had a pregnancy scare.
But the court heard that the student became infatuated with Matthews and was left heartbroken when he ended their relationship. In a statement, the victim asked "Where has the old me gone? The old me had confidence and dreams; I found problems to be challenges".
The victim's mother stood up in court and said the relationship left her daughter struggling with mental health problems and alcoholism: "My daughter was an intelligent, kind, caring, popular