Ex-teacher jailed for sex offences with teenager

A former teacher has been sentenced to three years and four months in prison for committing a series of sexual offences against a young person.

Alan Geoffrey Falle, 35, pleaded guilty to 12 offences under the abuse of position of trust by a sexual act against a person law.

The Royal Court heard Falle committed the offences against someone aged 16 or 17.

In an impact statement, the victim said: "What happened with Alan did not stop when our relationship stopped but seeped into who I am."

Suspicions had initially been raised about Falle when the victim told a youth counsellor he had given them his personal email address in case they needed to speak with him because he was moving schools.

This inadvertent disclosure led to an internal investigation and suspension which was later dropped because of a lack of evidence.

The court heard the relationship between the pair continued before it ended a few months later.

Falle's defence had argued the relationship was consensual and the victim was over the age of 16 - but said he fully accepts his actions were wrong.

In a written statement from the victim, the court heard how the defendant had them "in the palm of his hand and he knew it".

They said: "Anything he wanted me to do, I would do... I trusted him, I admired him, I loved him the way a teenager loves someone."

Education leaders and the police have praised their courage in coming forward, saying offences like these have a profound impact on them, their peers and the wider community.

States of Jersey Police said: "Offences of this nature have a profound and lasting impact, not only on the victim but also on families, peers, and the wider community."

The education department said safeguarding remained its highest priority, and support is available for anyone affected.

Falle has also been placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.

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