JURORS took just 25 minutes to unanimously clear a well respected Hampshire teacher of abusing his position by having a sexual relationship with a pupil.

For the past two years Gordon Neale, 54, faced the prospect of his career ending in ruins after a former pupil made allegations against him.

As the jury foreman read out the verdicts he closed his eyes, turned his head skywards and let out a sigh of relief.

Throughout repeated police interviews under caution, and then during a week-long trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, the married father of two insisted the girl's claims were absolute rubbish.

He admitted the 16-year-old had kissed him as they returned from a pub lunch he had taken her on as a reward for hard work at Crofton School in Stubbington, near Fareham, where he has taught for 30 years.

He accepted in court taking the pupil to lunch was a poor decision, but said he hadn't realised the danger he was putting himself in.

Mr Gordon, who was Crofton's head of information and computer technology, told the jury he had been badgered into buying the youngster lunch after promising a treat to her and another pupil whose parents refused to let her take up the offer.

But he completely refuted allegations he had later engaged in sexual activity with the youngster, saying the story had been completely concocted by the girl and a friend.

After having his home and school computers seized and being interviewed by detectives three times over a period of nearly a year, he was charged with two counts of abusing a position of trust by engaging in sexual activity with a child under 18.

It is an offence under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 that carries a possible extended jail term.

A year later the case finally came to trial.

Mr Gordon, of Fairmead Walk, Waterlooville, sat in the dock, with his wife watching from the public gallery, while the youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, recounted her story to the jury over a video link.

When he took the stand to defend himself, the teacher was steadfast in his denial of her claims. "It is absolutely not true. It's ridiculous," he told the court.

Several colleagues from Crofton School took the stand to tell the jury of the respect in which Mr Gordon is held.

Each described him as a thorough professional who had always gone out of his way to help students, with whom he was said to have an excellent rapport