A former teacher at a Skipton school was today sentenced to a year in prison suspended for two years for having a sexual relationship with a pupil.

Gareth Aspey, 29, a science teacher at Skipton Girls' High School, resigned after his relationship with a 17-year-old pupil was revealed, Bradford Crown Court was told.

The court heard that Aspey had sex with the pupil three times – in December 2012 and in March and July last year.

Judge Peter Benson read a statement from the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in which she said she was a willing participant in the relationship and did not believe herself to be a victim.

She had been suffering from depression and was going through a period of self-harming when the relationship started – something Aspey was aware of.

The court was told Aspey was also suffering from depression at the time – having returned to work after undergoing cancer treatment.

Judge Benson also ordered Aspey, who previously admiited three charges of engaging in sexual activity with a teenage girl while in a position of trust, to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Aspey must also sign the sex offenders’ register for ten years, which bans him from working with children.