Ex-teacher jailed for sexually abusing 14 boys

A former teacher has been jailed for dozens of child sex offences, some dating back more than 50 years.

Robert Gould, who taught at South End Junior School in Rushden, Northamptonshire, was sentenced to 26 years after being found guilty of abusing 14 boys between 1971 and 1987.

The 74-year-old, who was also a leader at Park Road Methodist Church youth group in Rushden, was convicted of 24 counts of indecent assault against boys under 14, gross indecency with a boy under 14, three counts of indecent assault against boys under 16 and a serious sexual offence against a boy under 16.

In sentencing, Judge David Herbert KC said Gould "took the innocence" of his victims and was "without remorse".

The judge said Gould, previously of Wellingborough Road, Rushden, had "systematically preyed on" the boys and had shown "no understanding of the harm caused to those in this case".

Northampton Crown Court heard Gould had left his role at South End Junior School in 1988 following an earlier offence against five other young boys, for which he was also convicted.

Six of Gould's victims watched from court as he was sentenced.

The former teacher, wearing a grey jumper, displayed no emotion as he was told he would serve consecutive sentences for his crimes.

Victim impact statements read to the court prior to Gould's sentencing featured consistent themes of serious mental health issues and a distrust of others as a result of Gould's abuse.

Some victims shared feelings of "tremendous guilt" at not having come forward sooner out of "shame" and "embarrassment".

The judge said Gould would serve two-thirds of his sentence in prison, meaning he will be in his early 90s before he is released on licence for the reminder of his term.

He was also served with a sexual harm prevention order.

An investigation into Gould's offences was launched in March 2021 when one of the abused men made an online report.

It turned into a major investigation as more and more survivors came forward.

Most of the abuse took place in school time, with Gould inappropriately touching the boys, who were mainly pupils in his class.

His trial heard he asked them to sit on his lap or used the excuse of "checking their clothing" to molest them.

One victim recalled in court how Gould told him and a friend to change out of their wet clothing, molesting him through his underwear while telling him he was "checking his pants were dry".

Other offences took place at the Park Road church and one occurred on a school trip to Wales.

Gould was cleared of one further count of indecent assault on a boy under 14.

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