A teacher has been jailed for four years after admitting having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old pupil at his school.

Craig Parkin, 26, a music teacher at Woldgate College in Pocklington, East Yorkshire, began the 18-month relationship with the girl when she was 14.

Parkin pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity with a child and two charges of sexual activity whilst in a position of trust.

Parkin, from Manor Crescent in Walton, first began to contact the teenager, now 16, via the school-in messaging service before using Facebook to message each other privately. The relationship then progressed kissing and cuddling before advancing to a sexual relationship when the girl was 15 and Parkin had his own home.

"She is still in love with him and still wants to be together with him and wants to wait," said Prosecutor Richard Woolfall.

"The defendant said he had not behaved inappropriately with other pupils. This was a relationship where his heart had ruled his head." In interviews he acknowledged the relationship was "very wrong" but he "couldn't help being in love with her," Woolfall added.

The girl's mother said that the teacher had "crossed the line."

Mr Justice Coulson made Parkin the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and banned him from working with children. He also ordered he sign the National Sex Offences Register for life.

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