A TEACHER who kissed a 15-year-old schoolgirl on the lips has been warned he faces going to jail.

David Anderson, 42, a married father-of-three, showed no emotion as he was convicted of indecent assault at Lewes Crown Court.

Judge Guy Anthony adjourned sentence until October 29 and told him: All sentencing options, including a custodial sentence, remain open to the court.

Anderson, of Rosemary Gardens, Burwash, near Heathfield, had denied the charge during a two-day trial. He was released on bail.

The newly-trained teacher, who has not returned to teach at the Sussex school since his arrest in February, must sign on to the sex offenders register.

The court heard there was no dispute that a kiss took place in a classroom after lessons.

But the jury had to decide whether it believed the girls story that he kissed her or Andersons version that she kissed him after becoming infatuated with him.

After considering its verdict for five hours, the jury unanimously decided he was lying and convicted him.

The schoolgirl told the court she was freaked out by the attention she received from Anderson after he started giving her help during the last autumn term.

She accused him of confessing he fancied her before kissing her after school in an office.

The jury heard about an exchange of text messages and emails between the teacher and pupil. In one message Anderson wrote: I am glad you can still taste me on your lips. I loved kissing you. Cannot wait till we meet again.

The girl confided in a teacher when she believed their relationship had gone too far.

Giving evidence via a video link to the court, she said: He just bent forward and kissed me. The kiss lasted a second or two. I said that was really risky and he said he knew.

He said I knew what he thought about rules. He doesnt really like rules. He kept saying, Please dont tell anyone or I could lose my job. I reported it because it was wrong.

Anderson told a different story. He claimed that after offering the girl extra help, she would not leave him alone. He said she came to see him before school, during morning break, at lunchtime and after school.

He denied finding the girl attractive or encouraging her attention.

He told the jury he previously worked as a manager in NHS and private hospitals before re-training as a teacher and starting in September last year.

Anderson said he did not take action after she kissed him because he did not want to get her into trouble.

He said he later realised he was stupid and naive to have contacted her by text and email.