A FORMER school worker and cricket club captain who was locked up after having sex with a teenage girl has been set free by Appeal Court judges.

Lee Francis Dixon, 31, was jailed for two years at Chester Crown Court on February 15.

He admitted three counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust and one of perverting the course of justice.

Dixon, former captain of Chester Boughton Hall Cricket Club who had also played for Cheshire, had worked as a pastoral care manager, Mr Justice Nicklin told London's Appeal Court.

He had a chance meeting in Cruise nightclub in Chester with a 17-year-old girl which ended up with sexual activity.

On subsequent occasions he took the girl to his flat and his brother's empty flat to have sex with her.

When the offences started to come to light, Dixon called the girl and told her to 'down play' what had happened between them.

He told her to say it was 'heavy petting' and not to reveal that they had had full sex.

He also asked the girl to delete various messages that they had exchanged.

Judge Patrick Thompson, who jailed Dixon, said his crimes involved a 'significant degree of planning.'

A probation officer's report said Dixon 'prioritised his needs above the wellbeing of the girl.'

The report recommended a suspended sentence, but the judge instead imposed the immediate jail term.

Lawyers for Dixon, of Flail Close, Greasby and formerly of Dale Street in Boughton, Chester, argued that his punishment was far too harsh and should have been suspended.

Mr Justice Nicklin said: "We disagree with the judge's finding on the facts of this case that there was a significant degree of planning."

The appeal judge, sitting with two other judges, ruled that the sentence was too long and reduced it to 15 months.

"We are satisfied the sentence we are substituting could and should be suspended," he added.

The suspended 15-month jail term will include a rehabilitation requirement, a sex offenders treatment programme and 140 hours of unpaid work.

Outlining the case in February, prosecutor Kevin Jones told Chester Crown Court the pair had met by chance at Cruise on St John Street, Chester.

Dixon had never taught the girl but was aware she was in the sixth form which put her age at either 17 or 18.

The complainant knew Dixon was a staff member at the school and called him 'Sir' as they chatted at the bar.

Kissing and sexual activity then took place in a booth at the club.

Gareth Roberts, defending, told the Chester court: “He has lost absolutely everything. He’s lost his job, he’s lost his home and he’s lost his reputation.

“He stands before this court today thoroughly ashamed, embarrassed and remorseful.”

A total of 11 glowing character references were passed to the judge in which Dixon was praised for his 'integrity, honesty and loyalty.'

The court heard Dixon came from a 'caring and loving family' and had carried out a lot of charity work.

Mr Roberts said there was no suggestion Dixon had groomed the student and all three sexual encounters had been 'entirely consensual.'

Dixon 'bitterly regrets' trying to get her to change her story but had made no threats towards her, the barrister said.

Mr Roberts urged the judge to suspend the prison sentence as immediate custody would mean Dixon could not take up a promising new job in the building industry.

But Judge Thompson said Dixon had breached a 'huge degree of responsibility and trust' and had to be jailed.