A schoolteacher groomed and indecently assaulted an underage teenage girl who was one of his pupils.
The historic offences took place over a year-long period from 1996 to 1997 at a school in St Helens, and only came to light when the victim went to police many years later.
Today Paul Daw, 55, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to four charges of indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 16.
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Martine Snowdon, prosecuting, said Daw began grooming the girl - who was described as "shy and sensitive" - when he was aged 29 to 30. This took the form of lending her books and CDs and giving her compliments. By the time she was 15, his attentions became more physical, and included wrapping his arms around her and kissing her.
Ms Snowdon added: "He began walking her home, and on other occasions would kiss her passionately in the car. She said she was shocked but went with it. He would tell her he was falling in love with her and would write her love poems. She ended it aged 16, saying she couldn't go on with it."
Sixteen years after these offences took place, Daw appeared in court in December 2013 after pleading guilty to filming indecent images of young girls getting changed at the Wirral school where he was now teaching, and of teenagers shopping in Liverpool, for which he received a suspended sentence. It was this case which prompted his earlier victim to approach police.
In her victim impact statement, the former school pupil said Daw's actions had led to her becoming withdrawn, isolated, nervous and anxious. It had adversely affected her mental health and she had since been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.
Defending, Peter KIllen said: "There has been and continues to be genuine remorse for the actions that the defendant committed 25 years ago. He suffers from long standing, documented mental health difficulties such as OCD, anxiety and depression.
"He lives almost as a recluse at home and rarely goes out. He is a shattered man, which has all been brought about by himself and by his actions 25 years ago."
Mr Killen said Daw's marriage had collapsed when the latest revelations had come to light, and now the only access he had to his children was via telephone.
The judge, Recorder Andrew McLoughlin, told Daw the victim's life had been "in a turmoil" ever since the offences took place.
He told Daw, of Higher Lane, Rainford: "You now live an isolated, almost hermit-like existence, but it's you who's brought this all upon yourself. Your teaching career shows you are capable of doing good, but you went on a 180-degree turn and caused severe psychological harm to the complainant."
Daw was sentenced to 28 months in prison for the offences, of which he will serve half before serving the remainder of his sentence on licence in the community. He was also put on the Sexual Offenders Register for 10 years.
Speaking after Daw was jailed, Detective Constable Rebecca Robinson said: "The victim showed immense courage and bravery to report this historic crime to us which has had a lasting impact on her, and where he breached his position of trust.
"While no sentence will repair the damage that Daw's abuse has caused, I hope today's sentencing will not only provide his victim with justice, but also encourage other victims to come forward and have the confidence in us as a police force to take reports seriously and ensure offenders are put before the courts so that they can pay for their crimes.
"Anyone that has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us.
“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice. Time is no barrier to reporting offences and I would urge anyone who has been victim of a sexual offence at any time to come forward and we will do everything we can to help and support them."
Anyone with information or wants to report a sexual offence is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers, or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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