A TEACHER at a Bradford secondary school has been told he will go to prison after admitting being sexually involved with a sixth form student.

Jonathan Firth was told his behaviour amounted to a "serious breach of trust" when he appeared before Bradford Crown Court yesterday afternoon.

Judge Jonathan Rose said the 33-year-old should not expect anything less than a custodial sentence just because he was released on bail.

"I intend to grant you bail to enable a pre-sentence report to be prepared, but I need to make something clear to you, that pre-sentence report being prepared will assist me to know a deal more about you and determine the appropriate sentence," the judge said.

"I need to be very clear, the fact that I've asked for this report and granted you bail is not an indication that your sentence will be non-custodial."

Judge Rose said Firth's bail would continue with the same conditions imposed at a previous hearing, with the extra condition that he must cooperate with the Probation Service to prepare the pre-sentence report.

Firth, of Overdale Drive, Thackley, Bradford, was warned not to breach any of the bail conditions and was told if the report was not completed through any fault of Firth's, sentencing would go ahead anyway.

Judge Rose told him: "Now, finally, let me make this clear, there will be a prison sentence for this offence.

"I will listen to the prosecution, I will listen to your counsel, I will read the pre-sentence report and I will listen, with care, to submissions that are made in respect of sentencing guidelines.

"This represents a serious breach of trust and one that will result in a custodial sentence. Do you understand?"

Firth, dressed in a striped shirt, dark trousers and dark tie, nodded in response.

He had pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a female in an abuse of a position of trust and one count of causing a person under 18 to engage in sexual activity by being in a position of trust, between October 1, 2013 and November 30, 2013, at an earlier hearing.

His victim was in court yesterday as there was due to be a trial of issue regarding the detail of the case, but Firth's barrister, Dale Brook, said his client was "content" to be sentenced based on the prosecution's case.

"He does not want the girl to give evidence," he added.

Mr Brook added that Firth was a man of previous good character.

After yesterday's hearing a spokesman for the school, which cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "The safety of our pupils is our first priority and we take safeguarding extremely seriously.

"Earlier this year evidence emerged there may have been an inappropriate relationship between a member of staff and a sixth form student. This is an isolated incident which has been dealt with in accordance with all correct procedures.

"We have provided support to the student concerned throughout this period and will continue to do so.

"We always carry out full safeguarding checks with all adults who work in our school prior to and during employment.

"The school has co-operated fully with the police, local authority and child protection services.

"Our focus is on supporting the students, parents/carers and staff at this difficult time."

Michael Jameson, Bradford Council's strategic director of children’s services, said: “The school has liaised with the Council and police throughout this case. It is imperative that the pupil involved is offered full support.

“We work continuously with all our schools to ensure they have robust safeguarding policies in place, as the wellbeing of young people across the district is our number one priority.”