Widnes schoolteacher cleared of sex charges (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

IT teacher Carlo Troiano, 32, found not guilty on three sex charges against 16-year-old girl

12:10pm Wednesday 27th January 2010 in News By Barbara Jordan

A WIDNES high school teacher accused of engaging in sexual activity with a schoolgirl half his age has been cleared.

IT teacher Carlo Troiano, aged 32, was found not guilty on all three charges of causing or enticing sexual activity with a 16-year-old pupil in a classroom.

A jury of seven women and five men unanimously cleared him on Thursday after a four day trial at Warrington Crown Court.

After listening to all the evidence, they did not believe the girl, now 17, had been telling the truth.

She claimed he had asked her to perform sex acts on him.

Troiano, of Carrhouse Lane, Moreton, Wirral, married with two children, strenuously denied the allegations.

His wife, Jennifer and relatives sat in the dock as he gave evidence last Wednesday.

Allegations made by the girl, he said, were “absolutely untrue” and “a complete lie”.

Troiano said: “I feel very angry that someone could say these things that are not true.

“She was basically a liar. She made up these lies about me.

“It is quite hurtful and caused a lot of hurt to myself, my familiy and my friends.

“I am very annoyed by the things she has said.”

Troiano has been suspended since the allegations were made last March.

He said he had helped the girl with her course work during the February half term but kept the door open all the time.

“I absolutely love teaching,” he said.

“I think it’s a brilliant job.”

A Halton Council spokesman said: “Appropriate safeguarding procedures were in place at the school. All policies and procedures are continually reviewed and updated.

“Mr Troiano’s position at the school is being revewed internally.”