by Keith Hunt

A former teacher who had sex with a pupil has again had his sentence adjourned.

Mark Spendley’s case has been put off several times for various reasons. Now, a judge has delayed sentence so that a victim impact statement can be taken from the girl concerned.

The 35-year-old married media studies teacher, of High Street, Queenborough, Sheppey, has admitted sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

A second charge of causing or inciting the girl to engage in sexual activity by a person in a position of trust was left on the court file.

The offence was committed while he was teaching at the Hundred of Hoo comprehensive near Rochester. The teenage girl, who was at court, has since left the school.

She and another former pupil, who agreed to be named in a national newspaper, later claimed they had affairs with him.

Tom Stern, defending, said of the latest delay: “Mr Spendley has once again come to court to learn what his fate is. He is a man with by no means insignificant mental health challenges.

“I struggle to understand firstly why a police officer cannot take a victim statement from this complainant today. Mr Spendley is finding the pressure extremely challenging.”

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said: “I understand the point you make but this is a sensitive matter, raising issues that need to be carefully considered.”
Sentence was adjourned until Thursday, August 2.