Locations
Cordy Lane, Brinsley, Nottingham, NG16
Description
A teacher who kissed a pupil in a school art cupboard before having sex with her in a hotel room has been locked up.
Sex offender Bradley Amphlett 'crossed a line' and kissed his student when she went to speak to him about her exam stress.
The 26-year-old soon started sending the girl 'explicit' messages and even asked her to call him 'daddy'. He would also 'fantasise' about their encounter within the art cupboard.
The pair later met up at a hotel room where they had sex. Nottingham Crown Court heard how Amphlett worked as an art and design teacher at Alvaston Moor, Derby.
He started 'flirting' with his victim when she was in her final years at the school, DerbyshireLive reports. Prosecutor Jonathon Dee said Amphlett's offending started during the last week of term.
The convict had given his phone number to the victim 'in case she needed emotional support'. Mr Dee added: "She said she had gone into his room to speak to him because she was stressed about exams.
"He got everyone out of the room and then went over to her. He hugged her and then turned her face up to his and kissed her.
"It is quite clear from what she said that he was shocked about this and knew he had crossed a line. The next day she had an exam but it was also the day that students were getting everyone to autograph a shirt.
"She asked him and he was initially distant but later, after the exam, she went back into his room and he kissed her again. Clearly by now any doubts he had were gone and in fact he told her to ask him to kiss her.
"She did and he took her into the art cupboard where no one could see them and kissed her again. She described this as more intense than the first kiss.
"By the Friday, she had left the school." The girl messaged Amphlett and then pair started 'communicating by text'.
Amphlett 'had clearly received a warning of some sort as safeguarding concerns had been raised about his relationship with her', the court heard. Mr Dee said: "The messages became more explicit.
"He was clearly encouraging her in this although she was responding in kind. He encouraged her to call him 'daddy' and engage in explicit 'sexting' and there are a whole series of very explicit messages where they are fantasising about sexual activity and what could have happened in the art cupboard.
"They arranged to meet up for the day in Nottingham with a hotel room booked so that they could have sex. They met up around 11am on the Saturday, they did not text again until 5.30pm the following day by which time they were both saying how fantastic the weekend had been."
Amphlett was arrested once police were informed. He gave a prepared statement to officers, denying the offence.
Dan Scothern, defending, handed the court a number of character references in support of the defendant. Amphlett, of Cordy Lane, Brinsley, Nottinghamshire, admitted meeting a child following sexual grooming, sexual activity with a child and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual communication.
He was jailed for three years and eight months. Sian Hampton, chief executive of Archway Learning Trust, said: "On behalf of Archway Learning Trust and everybody at Alvaston Moor Academy, we are pleased to hear that justice has been served today.
"Given the very serious nature of the crime, we appreciate that this will cause shockwaves in our community, and all our colleagues are on hand for any students who may need some support."