Clark Eastwood, a 52-year-old former teacher from Staffordshire, has avoided an immediate jail sentence after admitting to having sex with a 16-year-old pupil and taking her to a pharmacy for the morning-after pill.
Relationship with pupil
Eastwood was a teacher at Endon High School when he began a relationship with a 16-year-old girl. Prosecutor Christopher Redmond told North Staffordshire Justice Centre that the pair communicated via messages and met both outside school and in classrooms. They kissed on school premises but did not engage in sexual activity there. The headteacher was alerted to the relationship and warned both parties to stop, but they ignored the advice and continued seeing each other.
The first sexual encounter occurred around the time of the girl's exams. The morning after, Eastwood took her to a pharmacy to purchase the morning-after pill.
Loss of career
The allegation came to light in 2023, leading to Eastwood losing his job. He has since found other employment. Defense solicitor Paul Kay urged magistrates to deal with the case within their sentencing powers, noting that Eastwood had a clean record over more than 20 years of teaching and that the loss of his career was a significant blow.
Sentence
Eastwood, of Cheddleton Park Avenue, Cheddleton, admitted to having sex with a person under 18 while in a position of trust. He was handed a 12-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, with a 50-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 120 hours of unpaid work. He must also register as a sex offender for 10 years and pay £85 costs and a £187 surcharge.
