A former music teacher at a Canberra school who had an affair with a student has been cleared of underage sex charges against the girl.
Supreme Court Justice Malcolm Gray found this morning that the case against Derek Siddon, that he had sex with the alleged victim on 10 occasions in 2005 before she turned 16, had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt.
The 33-year-old former Daramalan teacher admitted conducting the affair with the girl but denied having sex with her until after she turned 16.
The married teacher told the court during his trial in September that he deeply regretted the relationship with the girl.
''I think it was the single biggest mistake, the most horrible decision and the worst thing I've ever done,'' he said
Siddon declined to comment as he left the court after this morning’s verdict.
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