The deputy headteacher of a Primary school in South Tyneside who sexually abused a teenage girl after giving her cocaine has been jailed.
Paul Collins was in the senior position at the unnamed South Shields school when he carried out a series of offences against a child. A court heard he targeted his victim, who was not a pupil, in two incidents which have left her traumatised.
Collins, 35, of Felton Drive, Forest Hall, North Tyneside, denied abusing the girl, but jurors convicted him of five offences and he has now been jailed for more than eight years at Newcastle Crown Court. As he was locked up, the girl said in a victim impact statement: “I feel like my life will never be right. I was utterly terrified and didn’t know who to turn to.
“My worst nightmare had come true. Who would believe a girl over a trusted teacher.
“I’m angry because I think Paul has taken away my future. I would give anything to go back to a time before any of this happened, to when I was happy.”
During the first incident, Collins touched the teenager’s genitals and bottom over clothing and masturbated in her presence. A few weeks later, another incident happened after Collins had provided her with some cocaine he was consuming.
After snorting it, she turned round and saw him masturbating and he invited her to carry out a sex act on him. Scared, she fled.
When he texted her asking her to come back and get in touch, she replied: “Nar u pedo”.
She was reported missing, but ended up being picked up by her dad after reporting what had happened to her and Collins was arrested the following morning.
While she was missing, Collins had searched for pornography online. While it was legal, it involved older adults with younger adults and he also viewed pornography relating to older teenagers.
Judge Gavin Doig said his use of such pornography gave an insight into his “warped thinking”. Police also found extreme pornography on his phone involving a man and a fish.
Collins was found guilty of sexual activity with a child, two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and supplying cocaine. He admitted possessing extreme pornography.
He was jailed for eight years and three months, must sign the sex offenders register for life and was also given a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order for life.
Ian Hudson, defending, said Collins “remains in denial”. He added: “He is 35 and of previous good character.
“He has lost everything – his reputation, career as a teacher, friends dispersing with the wind. He has been remanded in custody since April and has gone downhill in terms of his mental health, which has been exacerbated by beatings and he is now on the vulnerable persons unit. He has got severe mental health difficulties.”
The court heard he has been putting his teaching skills to good use in prison, helping other inmates with their literacy while working as an education mentor.