26-year-old Waleed Nasir pleaded guilty to four charges against him.
He has been sentenced to 9 months in prison, suspended for two years.
He was also placed on the sex offenders register and given a sexual harm prevention order for seven years.
Nasir’s offending was spotted in April 2023 by staff at the Travelodge hotel in Whyteleafe, where Nasir had booked a room.
Travelodge employees undergo training about the signs of child exploitation and staff were immediately concerned when he attempted to check in with a 16-year-old girl.
They stalled the check in and called police.
Nasir was arrested but initially denied any wrongdoing and asked a friend to lie on his behalf.
His crimes were proven however, not least by the many sexualised messages he was found to have exchanged with his pupil.
Detective Constable Michael Barker from Surrey Police’s child abuse team, which lead the investigation said: “As a recently qualified teacher, Nasir would have had the most up to date safeguarding training so would undoubtedly have been aware he was committing a serious crime against a vulnerable young person who was under his care. Despite that, Nasir took advantage of his position of authority.
“I want to pay tribute to the fast-acting staff at Whyteleafe Travelodge. They did exactly the right thing and have helped prevent any future offending by Nasir. I would ask anyone who is suspicious that child sexual exploitation could be taking place to contact police.”
