A senior teacher at a secondary school in Hove has been sentenced for having an affair with a 17-year-old girl.
Andrew Berry, 48, was the head of English at Cardinal Newman Catholic School, in The Upper Drive, Hove, when he and the girl had a relationship.
When Berry, of St Vincent’s Court, The Strand, Brighton Marina, appeared at Lewes Crown Court he admitted two charges of engaging in sexual activity with a girl while in a position of trust.
The offences were committed between the end of July 2014 to June 2015 when the affair ended. Berry was arrested shortly afterwards.
Judge Guy Anthony sentenced Berry to eight months in prison suspended for two years for each offence.
Since his arrest Berry has been sacked by the school.
Earlier this year Sussex Police said: “Detectives have worked closely with school management and Brighton and Hove City Council Children’s Services to ensure that there are no other safeguarding issues at the school in relation to this case.
“The offences are not alleged to have taken place at the school but at Berry’s address.”
As a result of the case Ofsted carried out an inspection of the school and said that it “requires improvement”.
