A school IT manager at a Dartford school has been jailed after he had an inappropriate relationship with a teenage girl.

A judge told Aristos Aristodimou his behaviour had “driven a coach and horses” through legislation designed to protect children.

Maidstone Crown Court heard 39-year-old Aristodimou started to have contact with the 16-year-old girl in 2011 when she was vulnerable with difficulties at home.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said the teenager was out walking her dog when she “had the misfortune to chance upon” Aristodimou.

He told her: “You look like you want a hug. I want one too.”

There was contact for the next year, consisting mainly of conversations.

“But it didn’t stop there,” said the judge. “You allowed it to progress into something more sinister. The relationship became sexual.”

"That is precisely why legislation such as this exists - to protect children from inappropriate behaviour by adults in a position of trust..." - Judge Jonathan Carroll

Aristodimou kissed her, groped her breasts and touched her more intimately on at least one occasion.

She eventually reported it and action was taken to keep him away from her and other children.

Aristodimou, of Ilford, Essex, admitted sexual activity with a child in a position of trust.

Craig Evans, defending, said Aristodimou had worked for almost 20 years with an unblemished record.

He was emotionally vulnerable at the time. His relationship had broken down and his father was diagnosed with dementia.

“The major factor in his life is his father,” said Mr Evans. “He is his primary carer. His father’s condition is severe. A custodial sentence will be felt most by him.”

A suspended sentence would be a constructive alternative to custody, he added.

But jailing Aristodimou for 13 months, Judge Carroll told him: “You were clearly the adult in a world surrounded by children.

“That is precisely why legislation such as this exists - to protect children from inappropriate behaviour by adults in a position of trust.”

The judge said he accepted that the girl never reciprocated in sexual contact.

“I absolutely reject the suggestion you didn’t take advantage of the situation,” he continued. “Yes, you did in targeting that young girl in that hour of need.

“It seems there are elements of minimising your responsibility.”

Judge Carroll said the sentence would affect Aristodimou’s father but added: “It is still entirely of your own making.”

Aristodimou’s name will appear on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and he will be barred from working with children.

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