A COLEG Gwent tutor who groomed one of his former students and gave her sex toys as gifts has avoided going to jail.

Ian Powell, 60, was in a sexual relationship with her for three months.

Newport Crown Court heard that he was seen by his young, female victim as a "father figure" at first before the relationship became sexual.

Prosecutor Ross McQuillan-Johnson said: "The defendant received pictures and videos from the victim of her breasts and of her performing sexual acts using toys.

"The defendant purchased these toys for her on Amazon and sent them to her home address."

Powell pled guilty to possessing 47 videos and pictures of a child, raging in categories from A to C, with A being the most serious kind.

Their relationship was more than just exchanging explicit images with each other, however.

The court heard that whilst they were kissing in a local park, a group of young people shouted "pedo" at him.

They would talk every day and the victim described him as "friendly and funny". 

She did not realise until months later the imbalance in their relationship and the abuse of trust.

The victim was described as "vulnerable2 at the time where she was groomed

Defence barrister Nigel Fryer said that Powell is a married man with two adult sons.

His wife is said to be standing by him, regardless of his inappropriate relationship with a minor.

"Ian Powell is remorseful, and horrified upon reflection that he allowed himself to fall into this relationship," said Mr Fryer.

"His long standing partner is also horrified by his behaviour."

Upon sentencing, Judge Shomon Khan said: "This is an unusual case of serious offences relating to possessing sexually indecent images of a child."

"She liked you, looked up to you and admired you. You taught her at a college that you had been teaching in for 24 years."

"Your relationship was not appropriate and you must have known that. It was built upon a relationship of trust."

"You were a 59-year-old snogging a young girl, with kids shouting at you calling you a 'pedo' in broad daylight.

"You groomed this girl. You abused her, her family, and your previous employer.

Judge Khan considered Powell's early guilty plea, the fact he has had no previous convictions, and his low chance of reoffending.

He was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for two years and fined £337.

He was also given a seven-year restraining order not to contact his victim, ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation and 150 hours of unpaid work.

"Why you would act in this way remains a mystery to me," the judge added.