A MARRIED teacher who was found hiding in a drawer under a pupil’s bed by her mother has avoided a jail sentence.

Shamed Andrew Welsh, aged 35, from High Bank in Atherton, started a relationship with a schoolgirl after she sought his advice because she believed she suffered from depression.

The relationship came to an end when the teenager’s mother caught Welsh in the bedroom of her home.

The pupil, who cannot be named for legal reasons, received support for several months from Welsh at school before the pair became involved in a relationship.

Bolton Crown Court heard Welsh’s career was over following his arrest.

He now works selling windows after he struggled to find another job.

Welsh confessed to the abuse, which included sexual intercourse twice, kissing, cuddling and touching, over three months.

The abuse took place at Welsh’s home, the girl’s home and in a car in a Sainsbury’s car park.

The girl was said to have consented to the relationship.

Welsh had worked at Canon Slade School in Bolton for seven years and he was the assistant head of year 10.

He admitted six counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust in an earlier hearing at Bolton Crown Court.

Welsh was today given a 14-month sentence, suspended for two years, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and must sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

He must also pay £500 prosecution costs.