World News - UK teacher sentenced in affair with student

A British schoolteacher has been sentenced to a year in prison after it was discovered that he had a consensual relationship -- approved by the boy's mother -- with a 15-year-old student.

Thamesbridge College drama teacher David Le Brocq, 30, was found guilty Monday of having a six-month sexual relationship with his pupil, Karl Donaldson.

The relationship began when Donaldson was 15, but the two claim they didn't have sex until Donaldson's 16th birthday, a decision that was approved by the boy's mother, Donna Stacey.

Le Brocq found himself in court in October 2006, but the jury failed to come to a verdict. A new jury convicted him to a year in prison at Oxford Crown Court in a retrial that began last month.

Judge Anthony King was relatively forgiving when he addressed Le Brocq, saying that it was "perfectly apparent" that there was a mutual attraction.

"Sadly, though, this case is a classic example of a substantial and serious breach of trust," the judge said.

"I am wholly satisfied that this is not one of those cases where an adult has acted in a predatory, grooming way toward a young person," King added.

The court heard that the pair began the relationship when Donaldson passed a note to his teacher with his cell-phone number on it. While drinking at a party, Le Brocq called Donaldson and confessed his love in February 2004.

The pair then began meeting regularly at Le Brocq's flat in Dorset. It was even reported that Le Brocq was introduced to the boy's mother as his boyfriend, which she actively encouraged.

Their relationship ended when Le Brocq told his young lover that he had fathered another colleague's child.

Prosecutor Alan Blake told jurors that Donaldson "loved David Le Brocq and his mother wanted him to be happy. The evidence is that there was a mutual infatuation between them."

He acknowledged that "Le Brocq exercised some restraint in not allowing matters to progress too far physically before the boy's 16th birthday."

The relationship came to light and police were notified when Donaldson's younger sister spoke about the affair to a teacher.

Donaldson, now 19, said of Le Brocq's sentencing: "I am glad it is now all over and I do not have to worry about anything now.

"I have not been in touch with him since we broke up and just want to forget about what happened and get on with the next chapter in my life."

His mother added, "We did not choose to go through any of this.

"My son just fell in love with the wrong person and it was his first relationship, but he is much stronger for it and has moved on."

Prior to the scandal, Le Brocq won many awards and was praised for his work in the school. He was even nominated for National Teacher of the Year award after three months in the profession by the pupils, teachers and parents. (Hassan Mirza, Gay.com U.K.)