Lesbian teacher, 38, who had affair with pupil detained under Mental Health Act
Lesbian teacher, 38, who had affair with 15-year-old girl pupil detained under Mental Health Act
By Duncan Macpherson
Last updated at 5:25 PM on 29th September 2011
A teacher who had a lesbian relationship with a teenage pupil has been detained under the Mental Health Act.
Suzanne Harrison, 38, a former director at the Suffolk One Sixth Form College in Ipswich, admitted four sex offences while in a position of trust involving the 15-year-old girl over a seven-month period at an earlier hearing at Ipswich Crown Court.
The offences were committed while she was working at a school in Colchester.
https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2011/09/3789.jpg Code of silence: Teacher Suzanne Harrison, who was detained under the Mental Health Act, told the pupil with whom she had a relationship not to talk about it
Prosecutor Godfried Duah told the court that Harrison had swapped telephone numbers at the girl's 15th birthday party.
He added: 'Their friendship developed very quickly after this and sometimes Miss Harrison would take the victim home from school.
'Miss Harrison was very often at the victim's home address and sometimes would have meals and barbecues with her family.'
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On one occasion, the victim's sister discovered Harrison in the family home after she fell asleep after a sexual encounter with the child.
Harrison insisted this was the first time they had sexual contact but on two further occasions she touched the girl inappropriately.
https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2011/09/3790.jpg Tears: Harrison, 38, leaving court last month after being found guilty of four sex offences against a 15-year-old girl pupil
On one of the occasions, the girl was wearing her school uniform and said she could not remember how the pair ended up in bed together.
During a walk in a park, Harrison told the girl: 'Don't tell anybody about this.'
Mr Duah said: 'This was a very vulnerable victim who relied on her teacher's support as a friend.'
He added that even when the girl had moved on to university, she was subjected to 'emotional abuse' by her former teacher.
In mitigation, Richard Atchley said Harrison had been referred to mental health teams and continued to suffer psychological difficulties.
Detaining Harrison, Judge Peter Thompson said his ruling followed a 'very thorough' assessment of her psychiatric condition.
He added: 'This does not mean the court takes a less serious view of the offending - the victim has suffered very significantly.
'The best view is it's not going to help either party to rake over the past any further, the future is the most important thing for both of them.'
Harrison, of Rendlesham, near Ipswich, previously taught at Otley College, Suffolk.
A Suffolk One spokesman said: 'We can state that the charges like the ones being faced are indefensible.
'We have fully co-operated with police throughout this investigation and will continue to do so.
'We would like to reassure parents and guardians that our students' safety, security and welfare is our utmost priority.'
