http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/teacher-admits-sex-with-boy-15/2006/01/30/1138590426359.html
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Teacher admits sex with boy, 15
January 30, 2006 - 2:23PM
A teacher says she had sex with a 15-year-old student because she was "utterly vulnerable" and didn't want the boy to feel rejected.
Bridget Mary Nolan, 24, has pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with the boy, who was a student at a country South Australian school where she worked as a music teacher last year.
Nolan, who faces a maximum seven years' imprisonment for each of the three charges, today asked not to be sent to jail, saying her "fall from grace" occurred when she was depressed over a break-up with her boyfriend.
"There's more than one victim (here), in what is clearly a sorry tale," Nolan's lawyer Joana Fuller told the SA District Court today.
"These offences occurred not, as is often the case, as a result of a deliberate, premeditated exploitation of a student-teacher relationship.
"(Nolan) was lonely, she was depressed, she was heartbroken.
"She was utterly vulnerable at the time these offences were committed."
The court heard the illicit relationship started with a spontaneous kiss on a bus at a school camp.
Nolan, of Trott Park in Adelaide, later became concerned about the consequences the kiss would have on her career and asked to meet the boy to discuss it.
Instead, they had sex after the boy suggested they go into her bedroom, Ms Fuller said.
Nolan again tried to discuss the matter some weeks later and again the pair had sex.
Ms Fuller said the sex occurred because Nolan did not want the boy to feel rejected and retaliate by telling authorities and cause her to lose her job.
The court also heard today from the boy's mother, who said Nolan's actions had destroyed him.
She said her son had previously been an A and B-grade student but in his last English assignment scored just five marks out of 25.
"A young, pimply-faced kid (was) suddenly thrust into an adult world," the mother said.
"What should be a natural progression through teenage years ... and young love has been snatched away by a predator that should have been a carer.
"My son has lost friends over this, been gossiped about and tormented by other students.
"I will never forgive you for causing my beautiful son so much hurt and humiliation."
Nolan will be sentenced in March.