Lecturer Trevor Jackson facing jail after admitting sex with teen girl

Nov 5 2009 by Robert Weatherall, The Journal

A DISGRACED lecturer has been warned he will face a lengthy prison sentence after admitting repeatedly abusing a teenage girl.

Former Newcastle University lecturer Trevor Jackson appeared before Newcastle Crown Court yesterday where he admitted grooming a 13-year-old girl on the internet and meeting with her for sex.

Jackson, 46, appeared at court wearing glasses, an open neck shirt, and a dark blue jumper. The court heard him confirm his name and address and then plead guilty to five counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming and five more of sexual activity with a child.

Last night students of the former bio-medicine lecturer spoke of their shock that the man they once trusted could commit such sickening acts.

One third-year bio-medicine student said Jackson had been her personal tutor. She said that she couldn’t believe the allegations when they were initially made. She said: “I was shocked when I found out, couldn’t believe it.

“He was an OK personal tutor, not the best.

“I found out in late September that he wasn’t going to be my personal tutor this year due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’. It’s hard to make judgements when you see people for 10 minutes once a term.”

Another student said: “I was really shocked to hear about this. You would never have said he would have done anything like this.

“You don’t want to hear anything like this about someone who is supposed to be respected in society. He was very knowledgeable and was clearly interested in research.”

Judge Tony Lancaster heard how Jackson met the girl, who lives in Jersey, online and convinced her to meet with him when he flew to the holiday island.

He paid five visits between September 2005 and February 2006 with sexual contact taking place on each occasion and full intercourse on two.