A teacher who rammed his ex-lover's car walked free from court, saying: "I have a new life with my fiance".

Special needs teacher Nicholas Burne-Cronshaw, 34, twice drove into the back of classroom assistant Susan Lutchman's car in the grounds of Catherington School, Crawley, where they both worked.

Yesterday he was given a conditional discharge after being found guilty of criminal damage but cleared of dangerous driving by a jury at Lewes Crown Court.

Following the case, which has been likened to a soap opera, he received a hug from his new partner and said: "I'm surprised I was found guilty of criminal damage. I have moved on and have a new life with my fiance."

Burne-Cronshaw, of Britten Close, Crawley, drove his VW camper van at a Ford Cortina with Mrs Lutchman, her seven-year-old son and partner Charles Newlands inside.

Burne-Cronshaw said his relationship with 41-year-old Mrs Lutchman had faltered after she had allegedly terminated a pregnancy but told him she had miscarried.

This led Burne-Cronshaw to lock her out of their house on Valentine's day, 2000, and put an end to their seven-month relationship.

She moved in with their neighbours, Janet and Charles Newlands, and began a relationship with Mr Newlands, who left his wife and moved into a hostel with Mrs Lutchman and her three children.

Burne-Cronshaw said Mr Newlands began a vendetta of text messages, including one which read: "I'm taking Sue to bed now to have a baby you can't have."

Burne-Cronshaw denied a campaign of harassment of his own and told the court he did not drive repeatedly past the home of Mr Newlands.

Mrs Lutchman told the jury Burne-Cronshaw had "flipped" at her in the classroom.

She said: "In April, he flipped in the classroom and started shouting at me. He stormed out and thumped cupboards on the way and the headmaster told him to go home. He came back in July."

He was signed off on sick leave for six months due to depression.

The court also heard how Mr Newlands had been cautioned by police after he had thrown Burne-Cronshaw to the floor and punched him.

Burne-Cronshaw said: "I was basically living my life in fear since he beat me up."

It was on September 11, 2000, when Burne-Cronshaw saw Mr Newlands sitting in his car outside his classroom "staring" at him.

Burne-Cronshaw said he had begun to drive out of the school car park when he said Mr Newlands pulled out in front "at speed".

Burne-Cronshaw crashed into the car.

He hit the back of the car again when he released his foot from the clutch and said he found his accelerator pedal stuck to the floor.

A mechanic confirmed there were problems with the car.

Judge David Rennie gave Burne-Cronshaw a conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £800 costs.

He said: "Your conduct was out of character.

"I am satisfied you are a thoroughly hard-working and decent man who has devoted himself to caring for children with problems.

"You were fearful of a man who had assaulted you."