Cumbria teacher Hayley Southwell sentenced for affair with schoolgirl
A Cumbrian teacher who admitted having a sexual relationship with a schoolgirl has been given a suspended sentence.
Hayley Southwell and her victim - who had a six-month relationship - were "counting down the days" until her 16th birthday, Carlisle Crown Court heard.
Southwell, admitted having sexual activity with a girl aged between 16 and 18, while in a position of trust.
The 27-year-old of Birkby, Maryport, was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years.
Judge Peter Hughes QC told Southwell - who has resigned from her job - that she had "destroyed her career".
She was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.
The former teacher at Nelson Thomlinson School in Wigton, was arrested in January after the school received a phone call informing them of the relationship.
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