A TUTOR from Helston who had a sexual relationship with one of his students has been spared jail but will have to sign the sex offenders' register.

Stephen Paul Greenslade, 57, claimed he believed the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was his assistant when he started having sex with her when she was aged 16, a trial at Truro Crown Court heard this week.

The prosecution argue that Greenslade, of Cunnack Close in Helston, was in a position of trust at this time and although over the age of consent, it is illegal for a teacher to have sex with a student until they are over the age of 18.

Greenslade denied he had sex with a 16 year old, while knowing that she was under the age of 18, and that he was in a position of trust.

He claimed he believed the girl was there as a prospective employee and his “assistant,” and not a student.

The charge dates back to 2004, when Greenslade was employed in Redruth. 

The girl joined Greenslade’s course and the court heard from witness Timothy Outterside, from Mullion, who was studying there at this time, who believed her to be a fellow student.

He said she would help others on the course, “as a friend maybe,” although he acknowledged that “towards the end” she “quite possibly” became more of his assistant, but added: “It wasn’t official.” 

When asked by defence lawyer Barry White what status the girl had in the class, Greenslade replied: “I was given the impression she was my assistant; there to help.”

Asked why he thought this, he added: “Managers and directors used to come and chat; it was during one of these [chats] I got the impression she was my assistant.”

However, when pressed by prosecution lawyer Joanna Martin for details he said he could not remember which manager told him this, or anything else about the conversation. 

He also claimed he was not given any paperwork to talk through with her, which he would have expected if she was a student. 

Greenslade said the girl’s level of skill was high, although she did not know the theory behind the work. 

He agreed with Ms Martin that he and the girl had had a sexual relationship between October 2004 and January 2005, when she left the course, although they kept in contact.

Greenslade said he believed her to be aged 17, but agreed he was aware she was under 18. 

He added that he did not consider himself as working in education, but in “training.” 

However, he agreed with Ms Martin that as far as the students at the centre were concerned, he considered himself in a position of “responsibility” and “trust.” 

Greenslade also admitted that after being shown paperwork given as evidence in court, the girl was in fact a student, saying this was: “To my knowledge now.” 

He remained adamant that he was not aware of this at the time of their relationship, however.

“It would have been wrong to have sex with any student,” he added. “It would be a conflict of interest.” 

Greenslade told Ms Martin that during their relationship he did not remember them discussing her role on the course. 

Police launched an investigation following an email of complaint from the girl in November 2014. 

At that time she claimed that Greenslade’s computer contained a digitally altered image of a woman and might also contain child abuse images. 

However, DC Julie Nankivell said that after running tests police found no images of child abuse.

Today Mr Greenslade was found guilty at Truro Crown Court, and sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for one year, as well as being told to sign the sex offenders' register for the next seven years.