Teacher cleared of abducting pupil, 15

A CHEMISTRY teacher accused of abducting and indecently assaulting a 15-year-old pupil with whom he was having a relationship yesterday walked free from court.

The teacher, Michael Edson, 31, had been having a six-month secret romance with Rachel Russell. The couple, who met at Wyke Manor Upper School, Bradford, ran away to London in October last year.

Giving evidence via a video link, Rachel, who is now 16, told Bradford Crown Court that it was her idea to run away and that Mr Edson had never indecently assaulted her. Mr Edson had denied abducting and indecently assaulting Rachel.

Michael Pearson, for the prosecution, said: "In the light of Rachel's evidence we have reached a decision to offer no further evidence in this case." The judge, Rodney Grant, directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty.

Rachel's parents, Robert and June, quickly left the court. Mr Russell said: "There's nothing I can say - what can I say? They have found a loophole. There's nothing we can do about it."

Mr Russell refused to comment any further and his wife, who was sobbing as she walked away from the court, also declined to say anything.

On Tuesday, Rachel told the jury by video link that she was still in love with Mr Edson. "I still love him," she said. "I am still waiting for him.

"We talked about getting married and how many children we were going to have." Mr Edson bought her an engagement ring, which she still wears.

Rachel began baby-sitting for Mr Edson's five-month-old daughter in March last year. A relationship began but she told the court that they had never had sex, they just kissed and cuddled. Mr Edson enjoyed a friendship with Rachel's parents, staying overnight at their home and going out drinking with her father.

But in October last year Rachel feared that her father was about to tell the police and her school about the relationship and she decided to run away.

She told the court it was her idea to leave home and Mr Edson went with her only in an attempt to persuade her to return to Bradford.

The couple spent two nights in a bed and breakfast in London, before returning to Yorkshire and giving themselves up to police in Leeds.

Anthony Alwell, for the defence, issued a statement outside court yesterday, which said: "It was Mick Edson's intention to act in the best interests of Rachel Russell and his actions in following her to London were purely to ensure her prompt and safe return.

"There is a strong bond of love and affection between Mick Edson and Rachel Russell and Mick Edson never set out to abuse that position of trust and influence.

"He expresses the hope that his private life and that of Rachel will be respected."