A former teacher at a high school in St Catherine was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for indecent assault committed against a male student.

The accused, who was employed as a speech and drama teacher, was told not to teach again in Jamaica, as he can't be trusted with students. Sentencing was arrived at after character evidence from the school principal.

The teacher's lawyer Sean Kinghorn asked for a non-custodial sentence, however, this request was not granted.

The Crown led evidence that in June 2010, the accused, while a teacher at the school, reportedly made indecent advances to the 14-year-old. The child tried to discourage him.

The man, however, is said to have held on to the boy's private area, placing his mouth over his penis and assaulting him. Reports are that the shocked teenager related his ordeal to his mother.

A report was made at the St Catherine North offices of the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse.

An investigation by Detective Corporal Nadine Smith resulted in the teacher being charged.

He was found guilty in the St Catherine Circuit Court on April 25, however, sentence was deferred until Friday. Presiding judge was Justice David Fraser.

- R.T.