Wife stands by teacher who had a baby with girl after affair at school
THE wife of a disgraced teacher who had a five-year affair with a pupil is standing by him – even though he fathered a child with the girl.
The school where Simon Parsons had sex with the girl when she was his pupil
Simon Parsons, 52, began the relationship when she was 17 and would whisk her away to London at weekends.
He had sex with the girl at his home and at Castle school in Thornbury, near Bristol, where he was head of drama.
The fling continued after she left school and he fathered her child when she was in her early 20s.
Parsons pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to five counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.
He will be sentenced today.
Despite years of deceit, his wife of 12 years said she was standing by him.
In a statement she said: “He is not a monster, he is a gentle man who made a massive mistake.”
David Scutt, defending, added: “His career has gone.
“He has lost his self-esteem and feels constantly humiliated.”
Parsons first taught the girl when she was 13.
Hooded Simon Parsons leaving court last week
Sexual intercourse took place within the school
James Ward, prosecuting, said: “Sexual intercourse took place within the school... she acknowledged she did have a crush on the defendant and thought it was maybe her fault that this happened.
“Eventually she thought to herself, ‘well this is a relationship then’.”
At times, said Mr Ward, the girl felt “grossed out” by what was happening.
Parsons took her out for meals and at weekends they went to the theatre and she stayed with him at a hotel.
But the relationship soured and she was interviewed by police when she was 24.
She was encouraged by an aunt to protect children as Parsons was still teaching.
When Parsons, of nearby Dursley, was arrested he admitted the relationship and having intercourse with the girl from when she was 17.
Mr Scutt said: “He thought it was something that had been wanted and pursued.
“He thought, wrongly, that it was mutual.”