An assistant school principal in Texas has received a lenient sentence after admitting to sneaking off with an 18-year-old student during a prom event in 2012 and having sex with the girl in his office. Light sentence: Mark West, 32, will serve four months prison and eight years probation for having sex with a student in 2012 . Mark Steven West, 32, who is married with a child, was sentenced Tuesday to four months in jail followed by eight years probation after pleading guilty to the improper relationship while working at Spring High School in Spring, Texas. He had previously said the girl instigated the moment, seducing him by saying she was 'feeling horny'. The girl admitted as such to police also, telling them  she encouraged West to have sex. But despite the light punishment, the judge was scathing in handing down her punishment, saying that just three weeks after the incident the girl  graduated, which would have made their encounter legal. 'You did it because you enjoyed the attention of young girls,' State District Judge Catherine Evans said, according to The Chron. 'We're talking about a razor thin margin of three weeks between what separates a felony crime from a poor decision to have an inappropriate extramarital affair.' State law prohibits educators having sex with students. West apologized to the court, saying he made 'bad decisions made on impulses' and was being 'selfish'. School officials were first tipped off to the allegations after hearing rumors and seeing inappropriate interactions between West and certain students at the school on separate occasions, according to court documents. He tickled one girl, lifted up another, and was accused of making inappropriate comments to two others. West was interviewed by a senior staff member at Spring High School in Texas in December 2012 after administrators heard that he made a sexual remark about one female student and possibly had sex with another. He was also investigated in the 2011-2012 school year for inappropriately touching a female student on her lower back. No charges were filed due to lack of evidence but he was ordered not to have any contact with female students. One staff member said she was extremely uncomfortable by the number of lengthy 'closed door meetings' West was having with female students. The staff member said she observed students leaving his office, smiling and laughing, with their clothes and hair disheveled. Scene: West has resigned from his post as assistant principal at Spring High School, Texas, after the incident became public. He eventually pleaded guilty and no longer works as a teacher . She also saw West 'body slam' a female student, in a playful manner, on a couch in the lobby office. Students told investigators about rumors that West had sex with a student at the 2012 Project Prom event. The woman, who is now at college, told investigators she seduced West. She told investigators that she came on to West first and that he initially refused her advances, according to court documents. She said she started to flirt and talk with West, allegedly telling him that she 'was horny and wanted to have sex with him'. The woman said she continued her advances until he agreed to meet her in his upstairs office. Once alone, the two of them began to kiss and then had sex, investigators said. West denied having sex with the student, but authorities felt they had enough evidence to file charges. He was placed on administrative leave and then resigned. While he maintained his innocent for some time, West finally admitted what he had done and pleaded guilty. Spring High School Principal Donna Ullrich issued a statement to parents, writing at the time of West's arrest: 'I want to assure you that the safety of our students is of the highest importance at Spring High School. 'The criminal history and references of job applicants are routinely checked before they are hired. 'The administration at Spring High School takes every allegation seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation and expose inappropriate behavior when necessary.' West's wife testified at his hearing that he is still not working as a teacher. The prosecution had pushed for a much higher sentence, reiterating that he was not just a teacher, but a principal. West does not have to register as a sex offender.
Mark West, 32, was sentenced Tuesday to four months jail and eight years probation for having sex once with a student, 18, during 2012 prom event.
Judge said West made 'a poor decision to have an inappropriate extramarital affair' and that the girl was graduating just three weeks later.
The girl admitted to police she seduced West and met him in the office.
West is married with a son and resigned from Spring High School in Spring, Texas, following his arrest.
Staff reported other 'inappropriate' behavior with female students.
West apologized, saying it was a 'selfish, impulsive decision'