AN ENGLISH teacher has walked free after he admitted seducing a schoolgirl and had sex with her more than 15 times.

Andrew Berry, had a year-long relationship with the Cardinal Newman Catholic School pupil before she called it off in June 2015.

Angered by the snub, the then head of English stormed round to her house and banged on the door with his fists.

The 48-year-old, who had worked at the school in The Upper Drive, Hove, for more than 20 years, first met the girl when she was just 12-years-old.

Tim Forster, prosecuting, told how she developed a crush on him aged 14 and would spend time with the teacher during school breaks in the corridors around the school.

Berry, later invited her to give his own daughter maths tuition at his Brighton flat.

The pair kissed during a school holiday and they started a relationship.

They would meet at his flat on Wednesdays and Saturdays and would have sex.

Lewes Crown Court heard that they had sex at least 15 times. She was 17 years-old when the sex started.

After about a year, in June last year, the girl decided to call off the relationship, which angered Berry.

He stormed round to her house and banged on the doors with her fists.

The police were called and Berry, who is a divorced father of two, was arrested and later charged with two counts of sexual activity with someone while in a position of trust.

Berry, of The Strand, Brighton, admitted both charges.

Although the sexual relationship was consensual it was illegal as he was a teacher at her school and therefore in position of trust.

Berry, who wore a suit, tie and sunglasses, wept in the dock as he was handed an eight month sentence for each count, both of which were suspended for two years.

The school said yesterday that they suspended Berry as soon as the relationship came to light.

He was later dismissed.

An investigation was launch at the school and an Ofsted team was sent in amid safeguarding fears.

The subsequent report stated that the school required improvement with inspectors finding several examples of serious breaches of discipline including truancy and verbal and physical assaults.

The Argus asked to speak to headmaster Dr James Kilmartin to find out what safeguarding measures have been put in place.

A spokeswoman said he was unavailable. She said: "We understand that Andrew Berry has now been sentenced for the charges of sexual activity with a 17-year old girl while in a position of trust.

"Following the allegations in June 2015, Mr Berry was suspended and subsequently dismissed from the school.

"Cardinal Newman Catholic School continues to uphold the highest standards in Child Protection."