Southend teacher sexually touched and kissed pupil

Jay Plucknett, 38, worked in a school in the Southend area at the time of the offences.

He appeared at Southend Crown Court for sentencing after admitting sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

The court heard there were at least five incidents of sexual touching, including kissing.

Plucknett, of Victoria Road, Laindon, was handed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Barnaby Shaw, prosecuting, said: “He started sending her emails which became personal emails. She was getting special treatment and she believed she was his favourite.

“He would rest his hands on her thighs, hold hands and kiss her on the forehead and she felt loved. He would touch her thighs and would be flirtatious.

“He told her he wanted to be with her if they were the same age and met in a different way. He told her he had fallen a little bit in love with her.

“She now says she feel she cannot trust people and is taking medication, and has issues having relationships due to a lack of trust in men.”

Mitigating, Robert Morris said: “It was an awful regrettable time of weakness and he is not someone who poses high risk to the community. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

“He was held in high esteem by his colleagues and was considered to be someone who was committed to his work. He is remorseful and willing to work with programmes to address his offending.”

On Friday, Judge Shane Collery ordered Plucknett to complete 55 rehabilitation activity days, and 140 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to inform the police about any changes to his personal situation for ten years and to pay £425.

She said: “You sexually touched a child at least five times and it was over a matter of months. There was also an element of grooming behaviour too.

“There were at least five incidents and probably more. This is not behaviour society or the courts can condone. We expect our children to be free of sexual attention from teachers.”