A teacher who engaged in sexual activity with a 16-year-old pupil and subsequently took her to a pharmacy to obtain the morning-after pill has been sentenced, a court heard.
Clark Eastwood, 52, continued his relationship with the teenager despite being explicitly warned by his headteacher to cease all contact. He ultimately lost his position after an allegation came to light in 2023, leading him to admit to abusing his position of trust and having sexual intercourse with the schoolgirl decades earlier.
At North Staffordshire Justice Centre, Eastwood received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for a decade.
The court was informed that Eastwood, a father of two, has since secured alternative employment. At the time of the offence, he was a teacher at Endon High School, where he formed the illicit relationship with the 16-year-old student.
Prosecutor Christopher Redmond detailed how the relationship began: 'She messaged him and the defendant responded. They began talking and meeting up outside of school and in the classrooms. In school they would kiss but nothing further happened at the school.'
The headteacher became aware of the situation and summoned Eastwood to his office, instructing him that his conduct was inappropriate and must stop. Both Eastwood and the pupil were spoken to, but they disregarded the warnings and continued their clandestine meetings.
The court heard that Eastwood took the victim to a chemist 'so they could buy the morning after pill' following their first sexual encounter, which occurred around the time of her exams. She recalled that the morning after, he accompanied her to the pharmacy to purchase emergency contraception.
Eastwood, from Cheddleton, Staffordshire, pleaded guilty to having sex with a person under 18 while in a position of trust at a school where she was receiving education and he was employed as a teacher.
Paul Kay, representing Eastwood, requested that magistrates handle the case, noting it fell within their sentencing powers. He stated: 'He was a teacher until 2023 when this matter came to light. He lost his profession. He lost his career as a result of that, even though that had continued for more than 20 years without a stain on his character. It is a tremendous blow. He has felt it very keenly indeed.'
The bench imposed a suspended sentence, which includes a 50-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 120 hours of unpaid work. Eastwood must also pay £85 in costs and a £187 surcharge.
