Former teacher from Peterborough jailed more than 40 years after indecently assaulting pupils

Seventy-two-year-old Gary Dexter, of Yarwell Mill, Yarwell, Peterborough appeared at Leicester Crown Court, where he was sentenced to a total of two years.

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

On 27 August this year, he pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child.

The abuse happened between 1976 and 1978 – when the victims were aged 10 to 11 years old.

In 2018 one of the victims attended a school reunion, where Dexter’s name was mentioned. She was told another former pupil – who had not attended the reunion – had previously said she was abused by Dexter at the school.

The victim then decided to make contact with the pupil on social media and revealed she too had been abused. Both victims then made a formal report to Leicestershire Police.

They said that Dexter, of Yarwell Mill, Yarwell, Peterborough had touched them both separately on occasions when they were alone with him.

Detective Constable Anna Blockley, from the non-recent team in Leicestershire Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit (CAIU), was the officer in the case.

She said: “Dexter committed these crimes when he was in a position of trust – he was a teacher, looking after young children. But rather than look after them, he abused them for his own sexual gratification.

“For more than 40 years, both victims have lived their lives, having been victims of sexual abuse. They’ve shown courage and determination in reporting it to police and helping bring Dexter to justice.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Children attend school to learn and flourish and Dexter used his position of trust to subject them to sickening abuse, leaving them with emotional scars that have lasted into adulthood.

“Child sexual abuse is incredibly difficult to talk about, but his survivors showed incredible bravery by speaking out - and by doing so they have put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Cases like this show survivors will be listened to no matter how long ago the offence took place.”

Childline are still here for children on 0800 1111. Adults concerned about a child can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.