A DISGRACED teacher has been jailed for four years after he had sex with a girl of 14.
A court heard music teacher John Grindell, 48, became infatuated with the girl.
He gave her alcohol and when she was drunk he had sex with her.
Grindell, also described as a music producer, was initially charged with rape, which he denied.
But while on bail awaiting trial he set up a countdown of days to the girl’s 16th birthday on the internet when he hoped they could resume a relationship.
Married Grindell was further arrested and remanded in custody, later pleading guilty to sexual activity with a child.
Sentencing the married father of two, of Pettit Close, Cefnybedd, near Wrexham, Judge Gareth Jones said it was a grave breach of trust.
He had considered sentencing him as a dangerous offender but decided to give him a determinate four year prison sentence.
Grindell was ordered to register with the police as a sex offender for life and the judge also made a lifetime sexual offences prevention order, preventing him from contacting his victim or her parents.
Grindell, who at the time taught at Maelor High School in Penley, will now be banned from working with children or vulnerable adults.
The judge said he had become infatuated with the girl and there were elements of grooming.
They had full sexual intercourse when she was 14, her first such experience, when she had drunk alcohol which had weakened her ability to resist.
His behaviour had a dramatic effect on the child and her family.
The judge said he took into account Grindell’s previous good character and testimonials written on his behalf, including one from his wife.
He was earlier described as a respected musician, broadcaster and teacher who had performed on the Welsh pop music scene years before.