A TEACHER who admitted having sex with a 14-year-old pupil has today been jailed for three years - despite pleas to be let off because the lad was 'willing' to sleep with her.

Stephanie Peterson, 27, also sent the teen lewd messages and photos - while claiming she had fallen in love with him.

5 Stephanie Peterson, 27, admitted having sex with a teenage student

The sex-mad miss romped with the eighth-grader in her car, performed a sex act on him in her home and in a barn behind his house between November 2017 and last January.

Peterson, who taught at the New Smyrna Beach Middle School, Florida, pleaded guilty to lewd and lascivious battery sex act with a child and electronic transmission of material harmful to minors.

But before sentencing, her lawyers argued she should be given little jail time - because the boy was a “willing participant”.

And a motion filed to the court requesting a lighter sentence said that she’s already lost her teaching career as a result of her actions - as well as her standing in the community.

5 She is due to be sentenced after pleading guilty earlier this year

She had faced up to 10 years behind bars.

Today, Volusia Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano cited Peterson's mental illness and her struggle with bipolar.

But he said she had to pay for her mistake as he handed down the jail sentence.

Peterson, who is married, must also register as a sex offender for five years and serve two-years under house arrest.

Taking to the stand, Peterson admitted she deserved to be monitored for the rest of her life for what she did.

In an earlier statement presented to the court, Peterson said: "I wish I could make it clear how regretful I am for what has occurred.

“If I could say one thing to the victim, it would have to be that I’m sorry, two words used too often without much meaning

"I can honestly say with everything in my heart that I mean it to its truest definition.”

Stephanie Peterson on stand. So sorry and wants to scream sorry every day. #News6 pic.twitter.com/Rof5zioxr9 — Loren Korn (@LorenKornNews6) December 19, 2018

5 Peterson taught at the New Smyrna Beach Middle School, Florida but her career is in tatters

5 Peterson exchanged messages with the 14-year-old

The teenager and Peterson got to know each other after she lent him her mobile so he could check his Instagram account.

Peterson later sent him a message from his own account after he left himself signed in, according to court documents.

The pair then continued communicating via Snapchat before Peterson sent the teen nude pictures - including one from inside a shower.

Her relationship with the pupil came to light after his mum found out about the romps and messages.

The discovery led Peterson to panic that the police were going to be contacted.

5 Peterson is expected to make a plea to the court when she faces sentencing

The former teacher wrote to the teen: “So she’s planning on doing something with it.”

In another message, Peterson wrote: “Pleas [sic] tell her it was the worst decision of my life and I know it was and idk where my brain was but that I somehow fell in love with you briefly and idk why and I’ll never be the same person because of it.”

She later asked the teen if she should speak to his mother in a last-ditch effort to prevent the police from getting involved.

Peterson later begged him to “delete everything” in reference to the messages and photos but was arrested by deputies in Volusia County, Florida in February.

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At the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, a psychologist said she believed Peterson had a manic episode, prompting "irrational and impulsive" behaviour.

And the expert witness added that Peterson was at low risk of re-offending - and had the relationship with the boy for attention, Click Orlando reported.

Fighting back tears, Peterson's mum said that her daughter was supportive and "wonderful", adding: "That's my kid. That's the person I know".

She also apologised to the victim's family - while Peterson's adoptive father said he would be willing to pay damages.

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