Teacher groomed a child and started a sexual relationship with her.

A former teacher has been sentenced to prison for engaging in sexual activity with a child he groomed while in a position of trust.

Edward Curtis, 30, was found guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust at Swansea Crown Court. The court heard that Curtis, who was a teacher at the time of the offences, had developed a "one-to-one" relationship with the victim before engaging in sexual activity with her.

In a statement read to the court, the victim spoke of the stress and worry caused by Curtis's actions and the subsequent court case, expressing her "overriding concern that if he could do that to me, he could do that to someone else."

Curtis's defense barrister, Nicola Powell, argued that the offences were not "planned" and that the term "grooming" was not appropriate. In mitigation, she stated that Curtis had "lost his job, his whole career and his reputation" and had "to accept this."

Miss Powell also noted that Curtis was "needed at home" to care for his mother following the death of his father in an accident. She quoted Curtis's mother who described him as "thoughtful" and her "rock."

Judge Catherine Richards sentenced Curtis to one year in prison. He was also placed on the sex offender register for 10 years and will have to obey a restraining order in relation to the victim for three years.