Shropshire teacher admits to sexual activity with underage girl

John Grindell admitted sexual activity with an under-age girl in August last year when he appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday.

But he denied attempting to pervert the course of justice this year by using the online accounts to post details of the proceedings. The prosecution asked for this charge to lie on file at yesterday's hearing.

Grindell was originally charged with rape, which he denied, but the charge was later dropped.

Wearing a grey shirt and dark trousers, he spoke only to confirm his name and enter pleas during the 10-minute hearing.

Prosecutor Owen Edwards told the court yesterday how Grindell also expressed a desire to maintain a relationship with his victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He said Grindell was counting down the days to her 16th birthday.

Grindell was charged in the wake of an incident involving the girl last August.

In the magistrates court he was bailed on condition he lived at home and did not contact prosecution witnesses.

But yesterday Judge Niclas Parry remanded Grindell in custody awaiting preparation of a pre-sentence report. There was no application for bail and the court heard he will be sentenced next month.

Judge Parry told Grindell his guilty plea would be reflected in the sentence passed down to him.

The married father-of-two, of Petit Close, Cefn-y-bedd, between Mold and Wrexham, was described at an earlier hearing as being a respected musician, broadcaster and teacher. He has made several appearances on television, playing keyboards and singing.

He had been suspended from his music teaching post at a school not far from Ellesmere.

The police probe into Grindell's offending began last December.

By Tom Johannsen