Ryan Weaver was on trial

EXCLUSIVE

by Lynn Cox
lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

Ryan Weaver’s world fell apart when he was arrested by police in July last year.

The 32-year-old was stunned to be told he was accused of having under-age sex with a teenager when she was 15.

The South African PE teacher, of Harriet Drive, Rochester, said he had started going out with the girl, who cannot be identified, in August 2008.

’this whole thing has made me grow up’

ryan weaver is still employed by his school but is suspended on full pay.

he would like to continue teaching, but admits it might be very difficult to go back and teach at the same school.

judge michael carroll agreed to a costs order for mr weaver’s privately-funded defence at maidstone crown court.

neena crinnion, defending, said the costs totalled £30,000.

mr weaver said: “this whole thing has made me grow up. i am a better person for it and i now want to help others like i’ve been helped in this case. my legal team were great, i can’t thank them enough.”

a general teaching council spokesman said: “regardless of the outcome of a case, the school concerned should refer any matter to the independent safeguarding authority.

“if there is a child protection issue, the council can ban a teacher from working with children.

“if there is not an issue, the matter is referred to our professional conduct committee who will decide if a teacher has breached misconduct rules.”

She claimed they started a sexual relationship a week before her 16th birthday and she had been a virgin.

When arrested, Mr Weaver admitted having sex with the girl, but claimed it did not start until she was 16.

He went on trial earlier this month and the girl, who is now 18, wept as she gave evidence.

The jury was discharged after new material came to light.

The Crown Prosecution Service then reviewed the case, leading to the prosecution against Mr Weaver being dropped.

Mr Weaver, who taught at a school in Gravesend, claims he had split from the girl in March 2009.

He said: “I was in a relationship with her and we were together for about seven months.

“We didn’t start our relationship until she had left school and was 16. I had very good strong feelings for her.

"I’d done nothing wrong. We had been split up for more than a year when I found out about the accusations.

“Our relationship fizzled out after a while when I realised I didn’t love her. I have been a stupid individual and I should have known better.”

A retrial was to be sought but, on Tuesday, prosecutor Catherine Donnelly told Maidstone Crown Court it was not in the public interest.

Mr Weaver was acquitted by Judge Michael Carroll, who formally entered a not guilty verdict against him.

He added: “It was the most horrible thing I’ve ever been through. I couldn’t believe what was happening, it’s not a nice way to be treated.”

“It was destroying me as a person, I have had to have trauma counselling.

“At one point I thought it would destroy my life.

“It has been a huge shock for my parents too. One good thing to come out of it is that my relationship with my parents is even stronger now.

“I now have a new partner, a teacher, and I want to get on with my life.

“I thought it would destroy my life, but I am ecstatic it is all over. Now I want to move on and plan my future.”