A teacher's career is in ruins and his marriage over after an affair with a teenage pupil, a court heard.

Richard Thompson had sex with the teenager on up to 20 occasions, bought her jewellery and clothes and used the school minibus to meet her during free periods.

Judge Stephen Gullick, Recorder of Bradford, said Thompson, 33, a PE teacher, abused his professional position, but the sex was consensual and the girl wanted to resume the relationship with Thompson after the sentencing hearing.

Thompson, of Birchfield Avenue, Gildersome, pleaded guilty at Bingley Magistrates' Court in November to two offences of abusing his position of trust, and was committed to Bradford Crown Court for sentence.

Yesterday, Judge Gullick sentenced Thompson to nine months in jail, suspended for two years, coupled with supervision.

He must sign on the Sex Offences Register for ten years and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order bans him from unsupervised contact with children.

Judge Gullick said the offence was peculiar to those in a position of trust.

"Had you been a local plumber, it would not have been a criminal offence," he said.

The judge told Thompson, who has no previous convictions: "Not surprisingly, you are in the process of getting divorced."

He said Thompson's career was over and he would have to retrain for another job.

He was well thought of until the offences came to light, and now family members and fellow teachers felt let down.

Prosecutor Richard Smith said the girl was keen to maintain the relationship once court proceedings were concluded.

Thompson, who had been promoted to head of year, was suspended and facing discipline.

Mr Smith said he and the girl began by sending text messages and phone calls. Early last year, they realised they had feelings for one another.

In April, Thompson took the girl home after dropping off other students. He told her: "I am falling for you fast".

In May, he had sex with the girl while his wife was away for the weekend.

Mr Smith said that as the relationship continued, the girl began missing lessons. Rumours about the affair circulated, but Thompson denied it.

The girl finally confessed the relationship to a friend. That girl plucked up courage to tell a teacher, Mr Smith said.

In August, the girl told her father about the affair and he was "angry, shocked and disgusted".

Thompson was arrested on September 14. The girl told police they had had sex up to 20 times.

She said she expected him to tell his wife and bring the matter into the open, and said he bought her jewellery and clothes.

He said he first took notice of the girl because she was good at sport, and the relationship became sexual when she was 17.

Thompson told police he was in love with the girl and wanted the relationship to continue.

Thompson's barrister, Barbara Webster, said he was aware of what he had done and that he could never teach children again.

The girl and her family were not in court for the sentencing.

Thompson declined to make any comment afterwards.