Drama teacher who admitted having sex with a pupil.

Drama Teacher Avoids Prison for Relationship with Pupil

Kelly Burgess, a 26-year-old drama teacher from Newport, has been given a suspended sentence after admitting to a seven-month sexual relationship with a student.

The relationship, which occurred between January and August of last year, came to light when the boy, who was between 16 and 17 at the time, visited a sexual health clinic with Burgess following her development of an infection.

During sentencing, Judge Euan Ambrose addressed Burgess, stating, "You are a picture of misery in this courtroom. The relationship, albeit conducted as if between equals, was not a relationship between equals. You were older, you were his teacher, and you should at all times have known better."

Burgess received a 10-month sentence, suspended for two years. North Somerset District Council released a statement following the sentencing, assuring the public that "this was an isolated incident" and that the school had followed proper procedures and cooperated with the police.

The court heard that Burgess and the teenager engaged in sexual activity at least once a week during the seven-month period. When school staff became aware of the closeness of their relationship, they informed the head teacher, who confronted Burgess. She denied the relationship was sexual, and no further action was taken at that time.

However, after the visit to the sexual health clinic, the police were alerted and an investigation began. When initially arrested, Burgess denied the offenses. However, a search of her home uncovered her mobile phone containing a text message from the boy that read, "Got the police round. Don't text back, don't be scared. Just get the story straight for when they come for you." Burgess eventually pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual offenses related to breach of trust, specifically engaging in sexual activity with a child between January and August 2013.