Preston Paedophile Stephen Wyatt was a ‘deviant’ science teacher at a prestigious grammar school who groomed a pupil as she prepared to sit her GCSEs.
The 60-year-old offered the girl a ‘sneak preview’ of her physics paper before she sat the exam, and gave her extra tuition so he could have time alone with her.
Judge Robert Altham said Stephen Wyatt, a teacher at the £2,500 a term St Annes College Grammar School, was “masquerading as someone with her best interests at heart”.
But over two years he groomed the pupil in the hope of developing a sexual relationship with her.
Preston Crown Court heard excerpts from Stephen Wyatt’s online diary in which he spoke of having ‘horizontal hugs’ with the girl, and kissing her at break time in his room.
They would meet at the beach to watch the sunset together and Stephen Wyatt told the girl he wanted to marry her – although she insisted she was not his girlfriend.
The grandfather even ignored a warning from his wife – who was also a teacher at the school – that he was getting too close to the pupil. His wife did nothing to protect the child.
The relationship was discovered when inappropriate emails between the pair were reported to the deputy head at the school.
Stephen Wyatt immediately confessed to having a relationship with the pupil and offered to resign – but pleaded with the teacher not to tell the police.
He remained in contact with the youngster throughout investigations by the school and the police.
Stephen Wyatt pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual touching in a position of trust.
He was given 36 weeks in prison for each offence but suspended for two years with a 30 days rehabilitation activity, 120 hours of unpaid work and ordered sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.
Stephen Wyatt was also made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order banning him from making contact with his victim.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.