A private school teacher who engaged in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old pupil has been sentenced to 27 months in prison. Nicola Park, 42, admitted to abusing her position of trust over a period of more than two years, from December 2016 to April 2019.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that Park, who was struggling with her marriage, described the teenager as 'my angel' and allowed her to stay at her home. The teacher, who worked as an assistant housemistress and taught maths and social education, first offered support after the pupil complained of feeling 'alone'.
Regular emails were exchanged, including on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Park referred to herself as 'Auntie Nic' and signed off with kisses. The pair met secretly in Glasgow, with Park acknowledging they 'probably should not be meeting up'.
The relationship ended when the girl moved to university, but Park struggled with the breakdown and exhibited manipulative behaviour, causing the teenager to suffer stress, lose weight, and be hospitalised. The pupil revealed the abuse to her doctor in September 2020, leading to a police investigation.
Sentencing, Sheriff John McCormick said the crime amounted to 'an abuse of trust' and was not a momentary lapse. Park was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and declared unsuitable to work with children.
