A PE teacher who ‘groomed’ schoolgirls has been given a suspended jail sentence.
Carl Gibbons, 32, of Fairway Avenue, West Drayton, was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service and will be the subject of an 18-month supervision order.
Gibbons was a teacher at The Harefield Academy, in Northwood Way, Harefield, but was dismissed last year after an internal investigation.
In December 2010, the academy had called the police after receiving information that a teacher had been having a relationship with a pupil.
Officers from the Child Abuse Investigation Team based at Northwood carried out a detailed investigation into the allegation, and identified two pupils who had received suggestive messages from Gibbons via text and email.
Evidence indicated he had tried to instigate meetings with both girls.
He was arrested by appointment in February and bailed pending further enquiries, with strict bail conditions to stay away from the school and the two pupils involved.
He was subsequently charged on April 14 and in December admitted two counts of incitement to commit a sexual act on a child.
Detective Constable Martyn Vittle said: “Gibbons was a popular secondary school teacher and used this to form inappropriate friendships with female students who he would then arrange to meet up with.
“He has also worked as a football coach in the Chalfont area, and I would appeal to any girls who have concerns about their contact with Carl Gibbons to speak to police.
“Throughout this investigation we have worked closely with the school and Hillingdon Council to make sure that enquiries were carried out sensitively, whilst ensuring that evidence was gathered which enabled Gibbons to be brought before the court.”
On Friday, January 6 at Harrow Crown Court Gibbons, was sentenced to 48 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months.
