Vic teacher jailed for sex with student

A married Melbourne high school teacher who had sex with a student on numerous occasions during a "deluded fantasy" has broken down in tears after being jailed.

Wesley Ellis, 37, was sentenced to three years and nine months in jail on Tuesday for having sex with the teenage girl 12 times over four weeks last year.

He pleaded guilty to sexual penetration of a 16-year-old child under his care.

The County Court heard Ellis was going through marital problems when he developed an emotional and sexual relationship with the girl.

Chief Judge Peter Kidd said he accepted the teacher's genuine remorse but insisted a strong message needed to be sent to the community.

"The sentence I impose must be significant enough to deter others, particularly teachers, from engaging in similar offending," he said.

Ellis and the girl began texting each other after he gave her his mobile number.

He would pick up the teen in his car, wait for her to change out of her school uniform, and take her to high-end hotels or restaurants.

As well as hotel rooms he drove the girl to secluded car parks to have sex.

The student described Ellis as the "romantic type" but their secret affair came undone when they were caught by Australian Federal Police officers in a Melbourne Airport car park in November.

Both lied to the AFP about the girl's age and how they knew each other.

Ellis's barrister said he thought he was in love with her and harboured a "deluded fantasy" he could maintain the relationship.

The teen's family now say they are worried about her emotional stability and fear for her future relationships.

Ellis's wife told the court her husband was a good man whose offending was "out of character".

The judge acknowledged Ellis's lack of criminal history and that he was a dedicated, highly skilled and hard working teacher.

He also admitted guilt early on - sparing the victim from giving evidence.

But the judge said the fact Ellis's child has a mild autism disorder, his mother has health issues and his wife has emotional issues, does not make his case exceptional.

Chief Judge Kidd ordered he serve a minimum one year and 10 months behind bars.