A LECTURER who had a 25-year relationship and a son with a teenage student only to dismiss her as a 'lodger he loved like a dog' when they split up must pay her £275,000.

Kim Woodward was a 19-year-old design student when she fell for artist Rupert Ashmore, a Jaguar-driving 36-year-old lecturer at Salisbury College of Art, in 1985.

They lived together, started a successful business and had a son, Jack.

But he told a judge she was not entitled to a penny after they split in 2010.

He informed her he never wanted a 'long-term commitment' and that marriage 'was only good for the tax breaks', Ms Woodward told a judge.

His name alone appeared on the deeds of the £700,000 home they shared and, in their design business, he said she was only an 'employee' he was having an affair with.

But after a two-year legal battle, he has now agreed to pay his ex £275,000 to give up her claim to the property — which comprised a farmhouse, 50 acres of land, barns and stables — at Leworthy Barton, near Bideford.

Ms Woodward took Mr Ashford to court in 2013, saying he was "controlling and intimidating" and Judge Ball awarded her half the property.

Ashmore said he had only stayed with her for their son and "could not say if he loved her more than he loved his dog".

Richard Hickmet, for Ms Woodward, said she could not have worked harder in bringing up their son and renovating and converting their homes.

Judge Ball said Mr Ashmore had displayed an "extremely callous" attitude towards Ms Woodward.

At the Court of Appeal, Mr Ashmore challenged the county court ruling, insisting she was entitled to nothing.

But appeal judge Sir Terence Etherton said it was a "strange proposition" to suggest that someone who had done so much over 25 years should find themselves with "not a penny".

After a half-day of argument, Mr Ashmore offered Ms Woodward the £275,000 payment to give up her claim to the property. She accepted and the case was settled.

Sir Terence said: "I hope they can both move forward in their lives from this point onwards".