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Schoolteacher cleared in sex case Schoolteacher cleared in sex case
(about 1 hour later)
A Lancashire schoolteacher has been cleared of having sex with a 17-year-old student.A Lancashire schoolteacher has been cleared of having sex with a 17-year-old student.
Andrew Riley, 36, of Wentworth Drive, Lancaster, had denied two counts of abuse of trust by having sexual activity with a person under 18.Andrew Riley, 36, of Wentworth Drive, Lancaster, had denied two counts of abuse of trust by having sexual activity with a person under 18.
Mr Riley had admitted he twice stayed at hotels with the girl during domestic problems with his wife.Mr Riley had admitted he twice stayed at hotels with the girl during domestic problems with his wife.
He was also cleared of a charge of offering to supply cocaine to the girl by the jury at Preston Crown Court.He was also cleared of a charge of offering to supply cocaine to the girl by the jury at Preston Crown Court.
The married father-of-two is a former head of sixth form at Baines High School in Poulton. The married father-of-two is suspended from his post as former head of sixth form at Baines High School in Poulton.
Email messages
During the two-week trial, the jury heard he and the girl spent many nights swapping explicit internet messages.During the two-week trial, the jury heard he and the girl spent many nights swapping explicit internet messages.
After the student went away to study at university, the relationship "cooled" and she eventually confronted her old school with the email messages.After the student went away to study at university, the relationship "cooled" and she eventually confronted her old school with the email messages.
Mr Riley denied arranging to get cocaine for the girl, and told the jury the messages were all bravado to impress the youngster.Mr Riley denied arranging to get cocaine for the girl, and told the jury the messages were all bravado to impress the youngster.
However hard I worked, it was not good enough Andrew Riley 'Tremendous strain'
Mr Riley told the jury of four men and eight women he had taken on a "massive mortgage" stretching the couple to the "absolute limit", but his spouse, who suffers from depression, was still not happy. Speaking outside the court Mr Riley said the trial had been "a nightmare".
"I was getting fed-up with coming in being nagged at," he told the jury. "I am relieved that the trial is now over. This whole ordeal has been a nightmare for me.
"However hard I worked, it was not good enough. We were just arguing all the time." "My wife and family have been under tremendous strain and I would now like to be given the opportunity to rebuild my life."
While sex with someone over 16 is not illegal, it is against the law if the defendant is in a position of trust and the victim is under 18. David Jesson, chair of governors at Baines School, said: "Mr Riley was employed following the usual checks that apply to all teaching staff.
The court heard there was no forensic evidence of the cocaine they allegedly shared, so Riley was charged with offering to supply rather than actual supply, but was found not guilty of the offence. "He is currently suspended from his position as head of sixth form at Baines School."
A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said it was a matter for the school, with advice and support from the local authority, to consider the appropriate action to take with regard to Mr Riley's employment.