A TEACHER who had an affair with a pupil who has since moved in with her has been spared further court appearances thanks to her "exemplary" behaviour.
The boy's mother was in court to see Eppie Sprung Dawson appear once again before a sheriff. Sheree Robinson attended the hearing to see Sprung Dawson, 27, have her punishment monitored.
Earlier this year Sprung Dawson was placed on the sex offenders register and ordered to undertake psycho-sexual counselling after admitting to breaching a position of trust.
She was caught by police having sex with Matthew Robinson, then 17, in her car following a Christmas social event at the school, St Joseph's College, in Dumfries, where she taught English,
Mrs Robinson has since spoken of her disgust after her son left the family home and moved into Sprung Dawson's property.
The former teacher, as part of her conviction, was also issued with a community payback order and Sprung Dawson was in court yesterday to have her conduct reviewed by the sheriff.
Mrs Robinson heard that the former teacher's compliance with the order had been "exemplary."
At Dumfries Sheriff Court Sprung Dawson's solicitor urged Sheriff George Jamieson to relieve her of any further requirement to return to court due to media interest in the case.
David Finnie said his client had been the victim of "excessive intrusion by the press which seems to have happened mysteriously in the weeks leading up to this hearing."
Sheriff Jamieson agreed to allow Sprung Dawson, who still lives in Dumfries, to complete her sentence without returning to court.
He said: "I fixed this review to ensure that you were complying with it. It wasn't meant to be an easy order for you to deal with.
"I have two reports, one from the community payback team which indicated that your compliance with the order is exemplary as far as I can see.
"I also have the benefit of Mr Finnie providing me with a confidential psychological report. You are engaging with the services you were asked to engage with. I don't see the need for a further review.
"The order will be allowed to continue to its conclusion."
Ms Sprung Dawson is now working in a hotel in the town following the collapse of her marriage and the loss of her job at St Joseph's.
Mrs Robinson, 43, earlier told reporters her son, now 18, who has started a carpentry course in the town, left the family home after a row about his room being untidy.
She said: "He rang Eppie to come and pick him up. We don't know what she is after and what is in her mind.
"The whole family are still in shock. You send your child to school and you expect them to be safe. She is a sex offender. She has abused her power and her position. She should have gone to jail."
Mrs Robinson left Dumfries Sheriff Court without comment.
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