A DISGRACED teacher at a Thornbury school who had a five-year affair with a pupil which produced a child was jailed for a year.

Simon Parsons, of Uley Road, Dursley, began the sordid relationship when the girl was 17 and had sex with her at the school and his home.

He would often whisk her away on lavish weekends to London and take her for dates at the cinema and local theatre.

The fling continued for two years after she left school, and the married teacher even fathered her child when she was in her early 20s.

The relationship only came to light sometime after the girl ended their romance and it became clear to her family what had happened.

Yesterday Parsons, who was head of drama at The Castle School, was handed the maximum 12 months behind bars at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, January 20.

Judge Neil Ford QC said those in a position of trust should expect to be jailed.

He said: "It is important that those in a position of trust who engage in sexual intercourse with a child in their care must appreciate that they are facing a sentence of immediate custody, especially when the activity involves sexual intercourse.

"I am acutely aware of the misery these proceedings have brought upon your immediate family.

"It is important that the public appreciate that those who behave as you have will receive immediate custodial sentences.

"It is important to state that to deter others who might behave in the way you have."

He added: "You know and fully accept that your behaviour was wholly inappropriate and in gross breach of trust in your position as a teacher.

"Pupils from time to time will find themselves attracted to teachers and a teacher, of course, has a duty to ensure that he doesn't take advantage of that situation."

Parsons was barred from working with children and the vulnerable for life.

The teacher pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

He remained emotionless as he was taken down to the cells in front of his victim's family.

The court heard the girl described feeling "confused and lost" and said she felt "let down by a teacher whom she looked up to and "trusted".

"You didn't see the girl as a victim of unlawful or inappropriate behaviour, but you now know that your behaviour has had a real impact upon her," Judge Ford added.

Speaking after the hearing the girl's mum said: "Every parent sends their child to school where they expect them to be safe.

"To find out that school is the very place your child was abused is a very horrifying ordeal for your daughter and indeed all of your family to have gone through."

Her father added that the sentence was a "significant" one.

Bristol Crown Court heard Parsons met the girl when he became her teacher when she was just 13.

Although a friendship grew between the pair they did not begin a sexual relationship until she was 17.

James Ward, prosecuting, told a previous hearing: "He was head of drama at Castle School, Thornbury, and she was a pupil.

"Like all relationships this relationship began in the way that normal relationships do and resulted in the defendant having full sexual intercourse with the complainant.

"Sexual intercourse took place within the school."

He added: "She acknowledged she did have a crush on the defendant and thought it was maybe her fault that this happened.

"Eventually she thought to herself, 'well this is a relationship then'."

At times, he said, the schoolgirl felt "grossed out" by what was happening.

The court heard Parsons would take her out to meals and on the weekends the pair would go to the theatre where she stayed with him in a hotel.

But the relationship went sour and the complainant was interviewed by police, aged 24, after she was encouraged to do so by her aunt in order to protect children as he was still teaching.

When Parsons, 52, was arrested he admitted the improper relationship and admitted having intercourse with the girl from when she was aged 17.

But despite his years of deceit his wife of 12 years sensationally told the court she was standing by him, insisting he was "not a monster".

In a statement read to court, the woman - whose name was not given - said: "He is not a monster, he is a gentle man who made a massive mistake."

David Scutt, defending, said: "He accepts responsibility for what he has done. He thought it was something that had been wanted and pursued.

"He thought, wrongly, that it was mutual."

He added: "His wife says since the relationship with the girl finished - and she bore it - the family unit has got closer and closer.

"His career has gone and that will result in a drastic change of lifestyle for her and her daughter.

"He has lost his self-esteem and feels constantly humiliated."

When approached at his converted barn home Parsons said it was a "very upsetting" time for him and his family and that his wife did not wish to talk about it.