Teacher Richard Taylor jailed for abusing girl
A church-going teacher who abused his position by having a relationship with an under-age girl has been jailed.
Richard Taylor, 39, began seeing the girl when she was only 14 after meeting her at a Christian group.
The relationship continued after she turned 16, but she later told friends and was persuaded to go to the police.
Former Mearns Academy maths teacher Taylor admitted lewd and libidinous behaviour and was jailed for 32 months at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Judge Lord Turnbull said first offender Taylor, of Stonehaven, had taken advantage of his place in the community and the trust placed in him by his church and the parents of the girl.
He said: "Children given into the trust of others for social, educational or religious purposes require to be protected.
"You purported to offer this young girl moral and spiritual guidance. It is right to describe your conduct as a gross breach of trust towards her and her family."
Defence advocate Steven Borthwick said Taylor had expressed genuine remorse for an error or judgement.
He said: "He accepts he was in a position of some moral responsibility and accepts he has breached that trust."