Former teacher acknowledges relationship with student

A former Colorado Springs high school teacher has acknowledged that he had an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student.

The Gazette reports 31-year-old Christopher Brett Markham pleaded guilty Wednesday to sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. He is scheduled to be sentenced April 24.

The former English teacher at Vista Ridge High School was arrested May 22 after police received an anonymous tip about the relationship. Markham said in court the victim was a former student.

He was serving as a paraprofessional in the library at Stetson Hills Elementary when he was arrested, after being transferred to a new position.

Police say they found 1,180 messages between the student and Markham during a three-week span.