A former East Clinton Middle School teacher will spend four years in prison on her conviction of sexual battery against an 11-year-old student.

Clinton County Common Pleas Court Judge John W. Rudduck said the case is more serious than a lot of sexual battery cases because of the “position of trust” held by teacher Robin Pickering.

Prior to Rudduck’s pronouncement of the prison term, the victim and two members of the victim’s family, as well as Pickering and her husband, all gave oral statements.

The Wilmington News Journal will not divulge the name of the victim, who remains a juvenile. The criminal activity against her took place more than two years ago.

“Just imagine waking up every day with the guilt of knowing what was going on was wrong, believing if I told anyone I’d be in just as much trouble as she was. I was 11 at the time. Imagine what was going through my head,” the victim said in court.

“I don’t know what was going on in her head while this was happening. She has three kids of her own. How could she do it to me?” added the victim.

The victim’s mother also gave an impact statement.

“I can’t begin to tell the people in this courtroom today how I felt when my daughter came to me and stood strong to tell me what had taken place so that no other little boy or girl would be manipulated into your web of horror,” the mother said.

Pickering’s public remarks started and ended with biblical passages.

To the victim, Pickering said she is sorry she was involved in any activity “which should have been reserved until you were much older and prepared to be a mother and a wife.”

To her former students, Pickering said she is sorry she has disappointed them.

“To my family, without whom (Pickering’s voice cracks) I would not have made it through, I am beside myself with the pain I have caused you and the unnecessary burdens … Thank you for loving me always,” said Pickering.

After having pleaded guilty June 8 to sexual battery, a second-degree felony offense, Pickering faced a minimum of two years in prison and a maximum of eight years.

Rudduck said the seven years recommended by Assistant Clinton County Prosecutor Andrew McCoy was “too extreme.” The four-year prison term imposed on Pickering will not be reduced, Rudduck said from the bench.

The judge said Pickering “betrayed” the trust bestowed on her by the community, the young victim and the victim’s family.

Pickering has been classified a tier 3 sex offender, for which community notification will be required for her lifetime.

Pickering taught in the East Clinton school district for 12 years, plus 10 years elsewhere.

At its regular meeting earlier this month, the East Clinton Local Schools Board of Education formally acknowledged receipt of a communication from the Ohio Department of Education revoking the teaching certificate of Pickering.