Sex case Poulton teacher inquiry delayed
11:10am Thursday 15th May 2008
Disciplinary proceedings against a Fylde coast teacher, cleared of being involved in cocaine-fuelled sex romps with a pupil, have been held up for more than seven months because he is on the sick.
Andrew Riley, head of sixth form at Baines High School, Poulton, was due to face an investigation into his conduct at the end of his trial last October.
The 37-year-old has been suspended on full pay since the allegations were made in May 2006 and has received more than £70,000 in the two years he has been out of the classroom.
At his trial at Preston Crown Court last year the married father-of-two said he had planned to bed his then 17-year-old pupil, but guilt stopped him at the last minute.
He admitted sharing a hotel room with her on two occasions.
He was cleared of charges of abuse of trust through having sexual relations with the girl and offering to supply her with cocaine.
A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "The school's disciplinary investigation into Mr Riley's conduct has been temporarily delayed due to him being absent.
"It will resume as soon as it is appropriate to do so."
The Citizen understands however, that the disciplinary procedure could be speeded up and the case could possibly be heard in Mr Riley's absence, if he is unfit to return to work.
A parent who did not want to be named, whose children attend Baines High School, said: "The delay in this investigation is not helping anybody.
"It's wasting vital funds and ruining somebody's life, and it needs to be sorted out one way or another as soon as possible.
"I actually feel a bit of sympathy for him (Mr Riley), and can understand his reasons for not returning to school, but it needs to be sorted now so that everyone can move on."
After the trial the student, Rebecca Hatch, who waived her right to anonymity in an interview with a Sunday newspaper, slammed Mr Riley's behaviour, saying: "He should never be allowed to teach again. He denied having sex with me but why else would two people go to a hotel room?
"Altogether Andrew took me to hotels on three separate occasions, spending four nights away from his wife. Someone in his position shouldn't be doing that."
Speaking at the end of the trial Mr Riley from Lancaster talked of his love for his wife, Emma, and their two children and said he wanted to rebuild his life.
He said: "I have lost everything because of this. I love my wife and I want to make that clear.
"No one from Baines School wished to comment, and Mr Riley was unavailable for comment.