A TEACHER accused of groping a pupil during after-school lessons has been cleared by a jury.

Joseph Kerr, a drama teacher at a Darlington school, was found not guilty at Teesside Crown Court yesterday of two counts of sexual activity with a child.

The jury took less than an hour-and-a-half to clear him of both offences after a three-day trial.

It was alleged the teacher groped a 15-year-old girl after he agreed to help her with a dance routine for her GSCE performing arts exam.

The girl, now 17, said he felt her bottom and made sexual remarks about her body during the incident in November 2004.

She also told police Mr Kerr had touched her again as she was walking through a corridor at the school.

The teacher said he had been in a registration class at the time of the alleged incident and could not have been there.

Giving evidence, the alleged victim had said: "I would not lie. It is true and I know fine well it is true."

She denied making up the claims to try to have her exam put back because she had not prepared properly for it.

Last November, Mr Kerr was on trial for the same matters, but the trial was halted for legal reasons before the jury could retire to reach a verdict.

Giving evidence in court, the 44-year-old said he had been completely devastated when he heard the allegations against him.

He denied stroking the girl's bottom and branded her story "complete and utter rubbish".

Mr Kerr, who has previously worked for the Prison Service and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, told the jury in the first trial: "It is easier for a child in school to remove a teacher than it is the other way round.

"That's the story. I don't know why she made the accusations."

Mr Kerr, who is a professional actor, has been on gardening leave from the school since the allegations were made. It is not known whether he will return to teaching at the school.

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said: "He is currently suspended without prejudice, but whether he returns is a decision for the school to make.

"The governors will have to meet to decide."

It is understood Mr Kerr, formerly of Abbey Road, Darlington, is now living in the Blackpool area.

A teacher from Darlington, who knows him, said: "We were all shocked when we were heard about the allegations.

"He is a nice bloke and good at his job."

Mr Kerr could not be contacted for comment last night.