Nspcc Urges Victims of Sexual Abuse to Come Forward after Burton Teacher Assaulted Boy

Burton Mail
March 8, 2017

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/nspcc-urges-victims-of-sexual-abuse-to-come-forward-after-burton-teacher-is-sentenced/story-30182659-detail/story.html

NSPCC urges victims of sexual abuse to come forward after Burton teacher is sentenced

A children's charity has told survivors of sexual abuse that they will be "listened to" in an attempt to get them to come forward, after a former teacher who assaulting a boy more than 35 years ago was finally caught.

Raymond Peter Thompson, from Burton, was given a 16-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, when he appeared at Newport Crown Court on Friday, February 17, for the offence, which the family of the victim said has ruined his life.

Thompson had been a teacher at a primary school in Burton, and also taught a class at a Sunday school for a Baptist church in the town. He committed the offence while on a camping trip with the church in Sandown on the Isle of Wight between July 1, 1980, and August 31, 1980.

Thompson is now 75 years old.

A former Sunday school teacher at a Burton Baptist church pleaded guilty to assaulting

a male in Sandown on the Isle of Wight (Getty Images)

After his sentence, an NSPCC spokesman said: "Thompson used his position of trust and authority to subject his young victim to appalling abuse that has had a profound effect on his life for nearly four decades.

"But this case shows that survivors of abuse can speak out in the knowledge they will be listened to, regardless of how many years have passed or who the abuser is.

"It is never too late for them to get justice. They can speak to trained counsellors at the NSPCC helpline, 24/7 and in confidence, on 0808 800 5000, text 88858 or email help@nspcc.org.uk."

Thompson would not have appeared in court if the victim did not found the courage to contact the police.

The victim's sister got in contact with the Burton Mail to say that her brother's life had been "ruined" because of what the now pensioner did.

She said that she was "shocked" when she was told about the incident eight years ago and that her brother had had a "horrible life" since and had turned to drink. She said that he felt ashamed.

She said that her brother was now receiving counselling because of the pervert's actions and that she wished, like the NSPCC, that other people would come forward as well if they have been through anything similar.

Thompson, of Cavendish Rise in Dronfield, Sheffield, was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for seven years, and will be on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

He was also ordered to pay ?500 towards costs.