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Sentence of teacher who had sex with a 16-year-old pupil to be reviewed

The sentence given to a former religious studies teacher who walked free from court after being f...
Newstalk
Newstalk

09.16 15 Jan 2015


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Sentence of teacher who had se...

Sentence of teacher who had sex with a 16-year-old pupil to be reviewed

Newstalk
Newstalk

09.16 15 Jan 2015


Share this article


The sentence given to a former religious studies teacher who walked free from court after being found guilty of repeatedly having sex with a 16-year-old pupil is to be reviewed by the Attorney General.

Stuart Kerner, 44, of Aylesford, Kent, was given a suspended 18-month sentence at Inner London Crown Court.

Jurors heard the victim was "obsessed" with him and that he took her virginity on a yoga mat on the floor of a store room at Bexleyheath Academy in the same week his wife miscarried their second child. He also drove her to his home where they had sex, kissed and cuddled.

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Judge Joanna Greenberg QC said it was clear the young victim had been "obsessed" with Kerner.

"(The victim) pursued you," the judge told him. "If grooming is the right word to use, it was she who groomed you, (and) you gave in to temptation."

But the victim was also young and vulnerable, the judge said, and Kerner was in a position of trust: "The law demands that you are the responsible adult and that you show restraint, and we know that you failed to do so."

Kerner was found guilty last month of two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) tweeted: "AGO have received complaints about Stuart Kerner's sentence and will consider whether to refer to Court of Appeal under ULS (unduly lenient sentences) scheme.

"Stuart Kerner's sentence will be considered. Decision due by 11 February."

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was at the sentencing on Wednesday.

Judge Greenberg described her as an "intelligent and manipulative" girl who had been known to make up far-fetched stories.

Kerner's name will go on the sex offenders' register. The court heard his wife has been sent on enforced leave from her job.

He was cleared of four other counts of the same offence, and acquitted of two counts of sexual activity with a child which related to alleged behaviour when the victim was 15.

Edward Ellis, defending, said that on the night the jury gave its verdict Kerner was in such a state of shock that mental health specialists were called in.

In a video interview with police, played in court, the victim said: "It felt special. But, I dunno, it wasn't really. And admitting that does kind of hurt."


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