A MOTHER has spoken for the first time of the devastation caused to her family by a Bolton teacher's relationship with her teenage daughter.

Robert Woods, aged 53, a former art teacher at St James's CE Secondary School in Farnworth, was jailed for 18 months for admitting two charges of indecent assault on the girl when she was 14 and 15.

The relationship, which lasted several years, ended when the girl's horrified parents discovered what had been happening.

Her mother said: "It shattered us when we found out. It nearly killed me and my husband. You send your kids to school thinking they will be safe. Teachers are meant to be responsible for their well being.

"When I look back on what happened I feel sad. I want to be able to give my daughter back the four years of childhood she had taken from her."

Days after their discovery the couple went into the school and her mother says she told three separate teachers what had been happening.

Her mother added: "I don't know what I expected them to do, but nothing happened. They just told me they were sorry.

"When the new head- teacher arrived a few months later I felt it right to tell him what had been going on.

"Again I heard nothing for about two weeks, then out of the blue Robert Woods rang to say he had been sent home, and asking us to deny everything.

"We were then approached by the police. We never went to them, as has been suggested. They came to us and asked our daughter if she would give a statement.

"She agreed which was a very brave thing to have done."

Woods, of Bright Street, Egerton, pleaded guilty to the two charges at Bolton Crown Court, and Judge David Hodson, told him: "Your behaviour represents a gross breach of the trust which should exist between pupil and teacher.

"Every parent is entitled to expect their children will be safe from sexual advances by their teachers."

Now, the teenager and her family are trying to put their lives back together again. Her mother said: "During the time of the relationship our daughter was confused. She was not happy. I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong, and just put her moods down to the fact she was a teenager. I think she was almost relieved when we found out. Beforehand, she was never particularly mature for her age, but this has made her grow up far too quickly. We would be getting a babysitter to stay with her when she was 14 when we went out at nights, never realising the dangers were lurking at school.

"He is nothing but an excuse of a man and is older than her father. At the age she was at she was so very vulnerable. It was his job to know better. This has taken over our lives. It has scarred our family for life.

"Since it has all come out the school has not been in touch with us. The police, in particular DC Lynn Dyke, have been fantastic throughout. They have been a tower of strength."

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