A history and geography teacher is suspected of having had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old female student at his school.

A 35-year-old teacher at a private school in Chauny, Aisne, was taken into custody last night for "rape of a minor under 15 by an adult with an age difference of at least five years," Laon prosecutor Jean-Baptiste Miot told AFP. He is suspected of having had sexual relations with a 14-year-old student. The existence of acts of penetration, which would constitute rape, has not yet been established.

"There is no mention at this stage of violence, threats, physical or moral coercion against the minor," the prosecutor also stated, recalling that according to the law, "any sexual relationship involving an adult and a minor under 15 years of age is systematically considered as sexual assault or rape."

A maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment

The rectorate of the Amiens academy, to which the history-geography teacher is attached, indicated that it had "immediately proceeded with his precautionary suspension" in order to "remove him from any contact with students" during "the judicial process".

Alexis Briaux, the headmaster of Saint-Charles College, a private Catholic school where the teacher had been for four years, said he was "shocked" and "appalled by the situation." According to him, "no one was aware" of a possible relationship between the teacher and the student, who is "in her final year of middle school." Alexis Briaux indicated that a "support service will be set up in the coming days" for students or teachers who wish to use it.

The professor faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.