January 2014 Teacher jailed for having sex with pupil in his car after taking her to concerts and telling her parents he was teaching her the guitar Married father-of-one Paul Burford, 38, had 2-year liaison with student, 14 Had sex in car, in street wearing her uniform, and at home while wife away Interrogated by Child Protection 1 year in but claimed ‘teaching her guitar’ Sentenced to 3-and-a-half years in prison and put on sex offenders register A science teacher who took a pupil to concerts and had sex with her on the way home has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. Married father-of-one Paul Burford, 38, parked up in lay-bys and service areas after driving the 15-year-old to gigs including White Snake and Thin Lizzie guitarist Gary Moore. Over two years, he had sex with her on the street in her uniform, gave her sex toys, and bought them matching rings. The science teacher even continued the liaison for a year after being interrogated by Child Protection officers – who desisted when he claimed to be teaching the girl guitar. The girl was 14 when Burford, then a science teacher at Branksome School in Darlington, kissed her in a classroom when they were alone, Teesside Crown Court heard. From 2010, they had sex at his homes in Darlington and Sadberge, both in County Durham, while his wife was with her parents in Carlisle, said prosecutor David Lamb. Once they had sex in the street in West Auckland Road, Darlington, when she was in her school uniform. The girl finally went to police in May 2012 and they arrested Burford who was then assistant head at a school in Devon. He is now separated from his wife and eight-year-old daughter. He confessed the affair to his father on his deathbed, said Amrit Jandoo, defending. Mr Jandoo added: ‘He apologises to the complainant, the school and his family. ‘He accepts that his behaviour has had a devastating effect on her life and his own life.’ Judge Tony Briggs told Burford: ‘It is perfectly obvious that custody is inevitable and it has to be for a man of your age and background a significant sentence.’ Burford, from Plymouth, was jailed for three and a half years after pleading guilty to 14 charges of engaging in sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust. He was also put on the sex offenders’ register, and given an indefinite Sexual Offence’s Prevention Order banning contact with under-age girls. December 2013 Former teacher jailed for admitting child sex offences A FORMER teacher is facing jail for a two-year sexual relationship with a schoolgirl Paul Burford, 38, yesterday admitted a string of serious charges and will be sentenced by a judge in the New Year. The balding former science teacher worked at Branksome School in Darlington at the time of the offences. Teesside Crown Court heard how he was in his 20s and the girl was aged between 14 and 16 when they had sex. The victim came forward recently after having a child and deciding she should tell the police about her past. It is understood that she also spoke to a work colleague, who advised her to report what Burford had done to her. Burford was married and lived in the Darlington area at the time, and sex took place at his home and in his car. His wife was pregnant at the time of the offences, and they now have a child. Burford, now of Hyde Park Road, Plymouth, pleaded guilty to 14 charges of engaging in sexual activity with a child. His case was adjourned until January 10 so background reports can be prepared by Probation Service officials. Judge Peter Bowers granted him bail until his next appearance, and ordered he sign on the sex offenders’ register.