May 2014
teacher admits sexual activity with schoolgirl
A MARRIED teacher — found in a pupil’s bedroom by her mother — has admitted a catalogue of sexual activity with a schoolgirl.
Shamed Andrew Welsh, aged 35, a teacher at Canon Slade School, started a relationship with a year 11 girl after she sought his advice because she believed she suffered from depression.
The relationship came to an end when the teenager’s mother caught Welsh in the bedroom of her home.
The pupil, who cannot be named for legal reasons, received support for several months by Welsh at school before the pair became involved in a relationship.
Bolton Crown Court heard Welsh’s career was over following his arrest.
He now works selling windows after he struggled to find another job.
Welsh confessed to the abuse, which included sexual intercourse twice, kissing, cuddling and touching over three months.
Nicola Gatto, defending Welsh, said: “He genuinely appeared to be very taken with this young woman and she with him. It appeared their relationship was of genuine affection.”
The court heard Welsh had artwork by the pupil on his walls at his family home in High Bank, Atherton, and paid her £100 for the work to “boost her own ability”.
The abuse took place at Welsh’s home, the girl’s home and in a car in a Sainsbury’s car park.
The girl was said to have consented to the relationship.
Ms Gatto said: “He has been teaching all of his working life. He had an exemplary record and has lost his career.
“He will never be able to return to teaching again. He has had to take unemployment selling windows — he has been unable to find any more appropriate employment.
“He is a married man. Obviously his wife knows about these matters. His wife is a general practitioner and they have a young child.
