By Andre Yeo

PLACING a security blanket around your teenage daughter may seem to some as being over-protective. But this mother had every right to be worried.

More than three years ago, her child had an intimate relationship with a married teacher whose wife was also pregnant.

In January 2006, The New Paper reported about Mary, then 14, who said she and the teacher, 33, had been seeing each other for seven months. They held hands and kissed and she had allowed him to touch her breasts and private parts.

Her cousin Tom, 31, said on Tuesday that when the family found out about the relationship, Mary's mother took several weeks' leave to stay home and spend time with her.

Tom said other family members also checked her e-mail and SMSes to make sure the teacher did not try to contact her again. He said Mary completed her O levels last year and will be going to a polytechnic this year.

Tough at first

He said the teacher did not come back to the school, and the initial breakup was hard on her.

Said Tom: 'In the beginning, it was quite tough on her. But with the family's help, she settled down and moved on. She was depressed and she went to see a therapist for three months. She is happier now.'

Mary's relationship with her teacher was only discovered while she was chatting online with Tom's sister, Jane.

Nobody knew who he was. Jane was worried Mary might be having sex with him as she was so naive.

Jane thought the boyfriend would be a classmate or someone in Sec 3 or 4. But when Mary said he was a teacher at school, Jane, who'll be 17 this year, knew the relationship had to end.

He was a head of department there but did not teach Mary. Mary's cousins went to her school to confront the teacher and principal. The teacher then went on leave.

Mary's mum said her daughter had done well in school the previous year and she only knew about the relationship when Mary's cousins told her.

Mary had explained to The New Paper then why she had entered into such a relationship.

She said then: 'I liked his character. He is very helpful and helped me when I had difficulties in maths. At first, we did not expect to start a relationship. Then he asked me out for a movie a day before my birthday.

'A few days after my birthday, he told me he loved me. He messaged me on my handphone that he loved me.'

She said she had been to his flat twice but said they didn't have sex.

Tom said that if Mary wanted to have a boyfriend now, they would not object as she was older.

But he is not taking any chances.

Tom said: 'We are still wary of him and we make sure he does not come near her again.'

The former teacher has since changed his contact number and could not be reached for comment.

This article was first published in The New Paper.