A TEACHER who was found half naked in a lay-by with one of her teenage students has been removed from the profession's register.

Eppie Sprung Dawson, 27, yesterday admitted engaging in a sexual activity with Matthew Robinson, who was under 18 at the time.

She was found "unfit to teach" during a hearing by the General Teaching Council For Scotland (GTCS) in Edinburgh.

In a statement read out to the panel, she consented to being taken off the register and admitted having sex with Mr Robinson, then aged 17.

The panel chairman, John Kilpatrick said: "The panel agrees that the registrant should be removed from the register in the light of her declarations."

She will not be allowed to apply to join the register again for two years.

The panel has also referred her to the Scottish Government to decide if she should be placed on a list excluding her from working with children or vulnerable adults. Mrs Sprung Dawson, who taught English at Matthew's school, St Joseph's College in Dumfries, was not present or represented at the hearing.

She admitted the charge of sexual intercourse contrary to Section 42 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 against her.

She appeared at Dumfries Sheriff Court in July and admitted having sex with someone under 18, while in a position of trust.

The pair had been at a school dance before driving to an isolated spot on the Cummertreese to Hoddam Road, near Dumfries, where they had sex.

They were caught by officers patrolling the area, just four days before Christmas last year.

As well as being struck from the teaching register, Mrs Sprung Dawson was placed on the sex offenders register and ordered to receive counselling as part of a community payback order.

She lost her job and split up from her husband Ranald Sprung Dawson.