A former Monmouth Academy teacher has admitted to having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student.

Christopher Dumaine, 39, of Readfield, pleaded guilty in Kennebec County Superior Court on Tuesday to two counts of gross sexual assault, two counts of unlawful sexual contact and one count of violating conditions of release.

He was sentenced to four years in jail, with all but nine months suspended. He was also sentenced to three years' probation, with the stipulation that he stay away from Monmouth Academy, the victim and anyone under 18, except for his children.

Dumaine must also register as a sex offender for the next 10 years.

In a statement, Kennebec District Attorney Evert Fowle said Dumaine "violated a sacred oath and duty as a teacher" when he had sex with the girl.

The 16-year-old, however, felt differently. In a letter to the court, she professed her love for Dumaine.

"(B)e it perceived morally disgraceful or a young ideal, it is what it is, and no one can convince me otherwise," she wrote.

Dumaine, a longtime English teacher at Monmouth Academy, had been the girl's teacher at various times. Their relationship began in June.

On Sept. 14, three high school teachers reported seeing the girl at Dumaine's home and raised other concerns with the school's principal, Fowle said. After the principal told the girl's mother of their concerns, the girl confessed to her parents - and to police - that she'd been having a relationship with Dumaine.

On Sept. 17, Dumaine abruptly resigned from Monmouth Academy.

Days later, with consent from the girl's parents, police searched her car and found a blouse with stains on it, which they took as physical evidence, Fowle said.

Dumaine was indicted in October. He pleaded not guilty and was released on $5,000 bail. As part of that bail, he was prohibited from having any contact with the girl.

But soon after, police spotted Dumaine and the girl together at his home. He was returned to jail.

Although the girl has professed her love for Dumaine and denies being a victim, her parents backed the charges against him.

"They were fully supportive of our efforts to prosecute him," Fowle said.

In her letter to the court on Tuesday, the girl railed against Dumaine's future bail conditions, which will prohibit him from having contact with her after his release.

"I don't see how this restriction is better for me; for it is limiting my pursuit of happiness where I see it should be granted," she wrote.

Fowle, however, said the jail time and probation were justified.

"Overall, we're satisfied with the result here," he said.