A teaching assistant sexually abused a vulnerable pupil in his car at a beauty spot near the banks of the River Mersey.
Alexander Palin, 30, preyed on the girl while working at her school in Runcorn.
Cheshire Police said allegations surfaced when the teenage victim confided in her mother about what had taken place.
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She said she met Palin outside school multiple times and they had engaged in sexual activity on a number of occasions.
A force spokesperson said the abuse took place in Palin’s car while it was parked in a secluded part of Wigg Island between winter 2018 and summer 2019.
After his arrest in November 2019, Palin, of Sandown Close, Runcorn, denied any involvement and was charged with five counts of sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 17 and one count of abusing a position of trust.
A jury subsequently convicted him of all charges.
He was sentenced today at Chester Crown Court to three years in prison.
After the hearing, Detective Constable Ed Flaherty, who led the investigation for Cheshire Police, said: “I’d like to praise the victim in this case for the bravery and courage she has shown, both throughout this investigation and subsequent trial.
“Palin held a position of trust, and while the victim was not in any of his classes, he was well aware that she was a pupil and he knew that she was vulnerable.
“In spite of this, he purposefully chose to take advantage of her for his own sexual gratification.
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“Despite all of the evidence gathered against him, Palin continued to deny all of the allegations made against him and has shown no remorse for the pain that he has caused, which will impact the victim for the rest of her life.
“Thankfully the jury were able to see through his lies and he is now facing the consequences of his actions.
“I hope the sentence handed to Palin provides reassurance for the victim and allows her to move forward with her life.”
Palin was ordered to sign the sex offenders register until further order and added to the barring list.
He was also issued with a banning notice preventing him from working with children.
Victims of sexual abuse and anyone who knows someone who has been a victim are urged to call Cheshire Police on 101, or visit cheshire.police.uk to report information online.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
