A BARRY lecturer who had a secret affair with a teenage pupil has been given a three-month ban - after pleading to be allowed to carry on teaching.

Russell Oakley, 38, could be back in the classroom before Christmas because he's been offered another job despite being sacked by the Cardiff and Vale college over his sexual relationship with the 18-year-old girl. 

IT teacher Oakley avoided being struck off after telling a disciplinary panel how the "funny and intelligent" girl pupil found him on an online dating site.

Divorcee Oakley admitted he was flattered by her attention - and started the year-long sexual relationship even though he was her teacher.

Father-of-two Mr Oakley told how their sexual affair began when the girl identified only as Learner A contacted him on a dating website after he had just split from his wife.

He said: "It was the most stressful time of my life. I was going through a divorce, trying to buy a house and worrying about my children.

"It was during this period Learner A made contact with me via a dating website.

"It lifted my spirits and made me feel good about myself. She was a funny and intelligent person and the relationship was a welcome distraction from my problems.

"I made a poor decision to make contact."

Oakley failed to tell his managers at the Cardiff and Vale College in Barry about his affair with the girl who he taught for three and a half hours a week.

A disciplinary hearing it was only revealed when her father saw him call at their house in the early hours of the morning.

He said the year-long affair with the girl started as a "healthy, happy relationship" but he became concerned about the age difference.

He told the Education Workforce Council panel: "She said that she had told her mother and grandmother about the relationship and they did not mind.

"She said her mother did not mind as long as I treated her right but she was unsure how her father would take it.

"I became stressed about the relationship and no longer wanted it.

"Leaner A put pressure on me to continue the relationship and said she could cause problems for me at work."

Oakley said he reluctantly continued to see Learner A despite starting a new relationship with another lecturer.

During his evidence Oakley became tearful and begged the disciplinary panel not to strike him from the teaching register - because he said he's been offered another job.

He said: "I hope all of my good work and effort will not be tarnished by one poor decision."

Presenting officer Melinka Berridge said: "Oakley's decision to form a relationship was motivated by his sexual desires to fulfil his own sexual gratification.

"He became involved in a romantic relationship which developed into a sexual relationship.

"But it was terminated by Learner A when she realised he was in another relationship with another woman.

"He shared personal information with her and provided her with his personal phone meeting."

He faced five charges including the "inappropriate relationship" including "engaging in sexual intercourse".

Oakley was also accused of "failing to notify his manager of his relationship" and breached the College's Code of Conduct.

The hearing was told his conduct "sexually motivated" and that he was "dishonest" about the affair by sending decoy emails.

But the panel said Oakley's behaviour "fell well short" of that expected of a lecturer - and banned him for teaching for three months .

Panel chair Sheila Drayton said: "Mr Oakley engaged in a personal relationship with a learner that he was also teaching and he continue that for over a year.

"He also tried to conceal that relationship.

"This was a serious instance of unacceptable professional conduct."

Mrs Drayton said the only way of dealing with Mr Oakley was through the three month suspension - but said he will be allowed to return.

She said: "This is necessary in the public interest to maintain public confidence in the industry."