James Cypert Jr., the former Columbus High School teacher who had sex with one of his students, stood quietly before a judge Friday and admitted his guilt.

Cypert, 38, stood only feet away from the now 20-year-old Columbus State University student with whom he had consensual sex three times between March and May 2005. Muscogee County Superior Court Judge Bobby Peters accepted Cypert's guilty plea on three counts of sexual assault against a person in custody and followed a plea agreement. Cypert was sentenced to one year in prison, followed by five years' probation.

The victim stepped closer to the judge's bench when she spoke about the relationship she had with Cypert, speaking so softly that Peters had difficulty hearing.

"I don't know what to say," she said. "I've gone through hell since this relationship began. I was manipulated by someone much older and wiser than I was."

In contrast, her father's voice boomed across the courtroom when he spoke about the damage Cypert had done to his family.

"We trusted that man to take care of our child," he said. "My child will be scarred for the rest of her life. I ask you to send a message to the citizens in this city that this will not be tolerated in Columbus, Georgia."

Another former student led Columbus Police to begin an investigation into Cypert, said Stacey Jackson, senior assistant district attorney. That student told police in December 2006 that she had a relationship with Cypert, though Jackson said no sex was involved and the contact occurred after her high school graduation.

That first disclosure led Sgt. Joyce Dent-Fitzpatrick to interview the school's principal and the victim who spoke Friday. In April, she admitted the relationship to Dent-Fitzpatrick.

Jackson said letters and e-mails between Cypert and the victim had been sent back and forth.

"Promises were made. 'I love you. I'll leave my wife,' " Jackson said of the e-mails.

Cypert's family and friends sat quietly in the courtroom during the proceedings. Cypert's attorney, Steven Hyles, said his client told him he wanted to stand before the judge, with only his attorney, and take responsibility.

"I'd like to apologize to the victim and the victim's family," Cypert said moments before Peters sentenced him.

As part of his sentence, Cypert must forfeit his teaching certificate and register as a sex offender.