An Orpington teacher, who groomed a 16-year-old male pupil and had sex with him even after his mother demanded she break off the relationship, has been jailed.

Lauren Cox, 27, broke down at Croydon Crown Court as she was sentenced to 12 months in prison for her relationship with the victim between February and September last year.

Cox taught the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at a prestigious school in Orpington before beginning a sexual relationship with him when he turned 16.

The boy’s mother had a “sixth sense” about the relationship after her son made up two girlfriends to cover up the affair, the court was told.

The affair came to light when the mother asked her son about his relationship with Cox.

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Lauren Cox leaving court. Photo: SWNS

When Cox, who was married, met up with the victim to dissolve the relationship she had sex with him again.

The first physical contact between the pair happened in February last year when Cox offered to drive him to the station after school.

Brian Reece, prosecuting, said: "The last day before the half term break, the defendant drove the victim to the station, stopped the car and they talked and she gave him three choices. Sit in silence, drop him at the station, or they could hug. He chose the third.

"The defendant tested the response to her sexual advances, ensuring the grooming was complete.”

In March they met in Cox’s car and kissed, and later went on to have sex in her car, at her marital home and at his parents’ house.

The court heard on one occasion in June last year Cox took a day off to meet the boy, who was on study leave.

Mr Reece said: “The defendant bunked off school so as to meet and have sex with a pupil.”

Cox also sent the victim photos and videos of herself naked and masturbating and spanking herself, however there was no evidence the boy had sent her any photographs.

The court heard the boy’s mother’s suspicions were heightened when the victim’s 11-year-old sister came home and saw Cox's car on the drive and her sandals in the house.

The secret unraveled when she spotted her son getting in Cox’s car.

In a victim statement, read out in court by Mr Reece, the victim spoke about how his relationships with family and friends had suffered as a result of the abuse and said he has “been left with only a close network of supportive friends”.

Defence counsel Ronnie Manek said Cox was of previous “exemplary good character”, had been battling depression and had submitted a guilty plea.

Sentencing, Judge Adam Hiddleston said: "She [the victim’s mother] allowed you to break the news, when you met you didn't do as you had said, you used that meeting to have sex with the boy again.”

Cox was sentenced to 12 months in prison for five counts of sexual activity with a child under 18 in a position of trust.

She has also been put on the sexual offenders' register for 10 years.