A teacher who sexually abused a teenage girl over four years has been jailed for two years.

Miles Hanwell, of Cambridge, Gloucs, admitted three charges of indecently assaulting the girl between January 1988 and December 1991.

The 48-year-old was formally cleared of two charges of rape and one of attempted rape of the girl, now 25, after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Don Tait, prosecuting, told Gloucester Crown Court the offences began when the girl was 13.

Hanwell: Life is "in tatters"

She first made a complaint about Hanwell in 1995 and he was arrested, but no charges were brought.

Mr Tait, said Hanwell did make guarded admissions to his wife and "portrayed himself as the victim and claimed the girl had led him on."

Six years later, when "certain stories" started to circulate at his school, the police investigated and spoke to the girl again, said Mr Tait.

Nothing came of the allegations at school but as a result of the new investigation, Hanwell's wife broke her silence and told police of his earlier confession.

He was arrested in November 2001.

'Very difficult'

Richard Wood, defending, said Hanwell had been suspended by his school and would lose his job.

His life was in tatters and he had lost his own family, said Mr Wood.

Hanwell was jailed for two years and ordered to be placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Recorder Richard Adam said the offences had been "selfish, disgraceful and appalling" from a man whose job was to care for children.