Probation likely for teacher in sex case

Friday, October 28, 2005
By JASON DEL REY
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Diane West, a former Bayonne High School guidance counselor who admitted having a long-term sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student, will be sentenced today at 9 a.m. by state Superior Court Judge Camille Kenny in Jersey City.

West pleaded guilty last month to one count of aggravated criminal sexual contact and, as required by law, forfeited her teaching license and related certifications.

As part of her plea, West admitted the student lived in her home from summer 2000 to the day before he turned 16 in March 2001, and that their relationship involved intercourse.

Because this is West's first criminal offense, Assistant Hudson County Prosecutor Debra Simon said, the state will recommend she receive probation.

Without the plea deal, West could have faced up to five years in prison if convicted, Simon said.

Simon said the student, now 20 years old, and his family, who appeared in court last month, agreed to a resolution of the criminal case through the plea arrangement.