Teaching assistant Jonathan Duffy convicted of sexual assault on a minor in London, England

A former teaching assistant has today, Monday 23 August been sentenced at Harrow Crown Court, to 16 months imprisonment after being convicted of sexual activity with a pupil.

Jonathan Duffy, aged 30, of Pinner previously appeared on bail at court on 26 July and pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15; and engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15.

He was sentenced to 4 months imprisonment for the first count and 16 months imprisonment for the second count to run concurrently.

He will also be required to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Detective Constable Adam Bailey from Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Child Abuse Investigation Team said: "This has been a long investigation taking nearly two years to collect all the evidence, deal with the many witnesses interviewed and bring the case to court, working closely with our partner agencies.

"I would like to thank the victim and her family for their on-going support and bravery throughout this process; it has been a very difficult time for them. I hope this conviction encourages any further victims of this type of crime to come forward and report it to police so that we can prosecute those who use their position of trust to prey on underage children."

Police and social services were contacted by staff at Hatch End High School in Pinner on 21 January 2009, following information given to them that the defendant had formed an inappropriate relationship with a pupil at the school.

Duffy, who worked at the school at the time, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and taken to Harrow Police Station where he was later bailed to return pending further enquiries.

During the course of the investigation officers collected evidence that Duffy had developed a friendship with the victim at school which he then took further by carrying out inappropriate conversations with her on Facebook, MSN messenger and finally by getting her mobile phone number.

He attempted to meet with her outside school on several occasions which she declined. Duffy persisted and the victim eventually agreed to meet him. On the first occasion he engaged in non penetrative sexual activity with the victim and on the second occasion the encounter resulted in sexual intercourse.

A friend of the victim’s told staff at the school what had happened and police were informed immediately.

Jonathan Duffy was charged as above on 13 April 2010.