LEE Savage had a promising career in front of him before he enjoyed one night of passion with a student.

Regarded as a high flyer, the history teacher was popular with pupils, staff and parents.

He started teaching at Sharples School more than six years ago and quickly climbed the ranks to head of history three and a half years ago.

Married for five years, father-of-three Mr Savage cheated on his wife with a student just an hour after telephoning her to see how she was.

His 28-year-old wife Lindsay was 250 miles away at their home in Roseland Drive, Prestwich, looking after their one-year-old niece.

At midnight he made the last of three phone calls to his wife and even told her that friends in the bar were urging him to go and talk to a 17-year-old girl. Mrs Savage has been at court every day throughout the trial at Winchester Crown Court and said he had never been unfaithful before.

Despite his adultery, she said she was standing by him and described him as a "great husband".

His wife told the court she was angry with him after he phoned her the following day to say he had been unfaithful.

But the nurse said: "He's very caring and loving, very supportive of me all the time -- a great husband."

One his colleagues from the school's history department also attended to offer his support. One described him as the "best teacher I have seen in my 30 years in the profession".

The mother of a former Sharples School pupil who was taught by Mr Savage said she was pleased with the verdict.

The 45-year-old said: "He was a brilliant teacher and very popular with the pupils and the parents.

"He was very focused, he cared about the children and was dedicated to getting them through their GCSEs.

"I was very shocked when I heard about the case and I didn't believe he raped the girl. He made a mistake and should have had more sense but she consented and knew what she was doing."