A Canterbury maths teacher quit his job and narrowly avoided jail after sending sexually explicit messages to a 15-year-old girl, a court heard.

Michael White, 33, of Godwin Road, Canterbury, was arrested after developing a "fantastical" relationship with the girl - which included kissing and hugging in secret meetings.

He appeared at Canterbury Crown Court and admitted causing a child to engage in sexual activity and making an indecent photograph.

When he began the relationship, contact took place by exchanging Facebook messages.

The court heard he was arrested after a friend alerted authorities about the pair.

Police seized his computer and mobile phone, finding sexually explicit messages and a picture of the naked girl, which was sent through Facebook.

Donna East, prosecuting, did not reveal in court what White had said - but did say the messages were highly sexualised.

She said: "The defendant was interviewed on July 15 and confirmed he had spoken to her and had given her his email address which he did to everyone.

"you have shown a breathtaking lack of insight which was not just a slippage of standards. there was a serious breach of trust which you knew was wholly wrong..." – judge heather norton

"He said he met up with her on July 7 and hugged her but didn't kiss her. He later admitted kissing the top of her head."

Ms East said that when questioned about the relationship White said they were "merely making out a fantasy".

Thomas Restell, defending White, said his client had lacked inner strength, adding his actions had caused him to "fall from grace".

He said: "He knows his previously unblemished career has fallen from grace by his lack of inner strength in realising this had the potential to escalate.

"He is aware his actions have been reprehensible. The photograph was sent to him and he should have deleted it but he didn’t. He is not a career criminal.

"This has brought an abrupt end to his career and his marriage. His wife has absented from the family home and moved to another county with their daughter."

Mr Restell added White had resigned from his position at the school and was now looking to take up a new career.

Michael White was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court

Judge Heather Norton said: "You have heaped shame upon yourself and those around you. The distortions in your thinking must be addressed.

"In my view you have shown a breathtaking lack of insight which was not just a slippage of standards. There was a serious breach of trust which you knew was wholly wrong."

She sentenced White to eight months' in prison, suspended for two years. He is subject to a two-year supervision order and was disqualified from working with people under 18.

He also has to sign the sex offenders register.