A former colleague of a teacher who had sex with an S6 pupil has said it was "common knowledge" among staff the teenager had a crush on him for years.
Kevin Smith today said teachers "took it for granted" that the pupil had a crush on maths teacher Ross Spittal, from Renfrewshire.
Spittal faces being struck off the teaching register by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) following an investigation over his relationship with the pupil.
The 32-year-old, from Bishopton, has already admitted having sex with the pupil in 2019 at his home he shared with his girlfriend at the time, Kim Smyth, 33.
At a hearing to determine whether Spittal should remain on the teaching register, Smith said he was aware of the pupil's crush on his former colleague when she was in S4 at a high school in West Lothian - aged 16.
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He said he was "shocked and surprised" that Spittal later engaged in a relationship with the pupil but believes he should be allowed back in the classroom.
Today at the fitness to teach hearing, Smith, who referred to himself as Spittal's mentor, was asked by Clare Raftery if the pupil's crush was common knowledge.
He said: "When I left Ms A was finishing fourth year and I was aware.
"So I would imagine it was common knowledge.
"I think he was a little bit embarrassed by it.
"It was taken for granted [by people who knew] that she had a crush on him."
Smith said he found out about the relationship through a colleague at Woodlands High School, where he now works.
Smith said: "It was a surprise and a shock.
"Boundaries were crossed and it was a bit overwhelming.
"That sort of five weeks were all a blur to him.
"[From the kiss] feelings developed and it became a relationship.
"After the kiss, he went into fight or flight and then feelings developed and it became a private relationship rather than professional."
Smith added: "I found him to be of the highest standard of teaching.
"Spittal forms positive relationships with his pupils, he was always available when pupils needed him.
"He has always been capable and candid.
"Spittal is an exceptional teacher.
"He has been on a journey of reflection, he wants to come out of this a better teacher and a better man."
Spittal claims the pair shared their first kiss when the teen stayed behind to help him tidy up iPads in the classroom in April 2019 (10 APR).
The GTCS panel asked Spittal about an email sent to Pupil A at 10.20pm on an evening in May 2019 (21 MAY).
In the email, he asked if she was having "chill fun times" and asked her to "talk me through it if you are".
He was outed when his girlfriend at the time, Kim Smyth, 33, found over 800 emails, including nude images, between the pair on their shared computer.
The Scots teacher confirmed yesterday (MON) to the panel that he and the former pupil are still in a relationship.
He also admitted that his relationship with Pupil A, while she was still a pupil, was "totally inappropriate" and said he was "ashamed" of his actions.
However, he said he believes he still has a lot to give to teaching and wants to return back to the classroom.
Spittal, now a delivery courier, today (MON) said: "I think about it everyday while I'm sitting in my van about where I could be if I hadn't made stupid mistakes.
"I made decisions and choices I made in a five to six week period I am ashamed and embarrassed of.
"I use a traffic light system. Stop, thought and action.
"I stop and process what is going on around me, I then think and assess my options before proceeding with my choice.
"I should have used it after the kiss had happened.
"My professionalism was called into place, it won't happen again, I admit all of the allegations."
Reflecting on using online teaching system Glow to exchange messages with the pupil, Spittal said: "It was totally inappropriate, I did not stop to think, I should have ignored the initial messages, I should not have acknowledged the message and I should have spoken firstly to a senior member of staff and then Miss A.
"I did not want to make a big fuss as it was near the end of her time at school, she had a few weeks left.
"I was embarrassed, she had made a daft comment in front of my girlfriend and I should have shut that down straight away.
"Pupil A took it too far."
Ex-girlfriend Kim Smyth gave evidence to the teaching regulator two weeks ago, saying: "I found 800 emails between the two dating back to early 2019.
"There were naked pictures of Pupil A.
"I was literally seeing naked photos of her as I was speaking to him on the phone.
"He asked me not to tell the police or the school."
Smyth told the council one email read: "Kim is at work, you can come over."
The hearing continues.
