Assistant head jailed for sexually assaulting pupil

A former assistant head teacher has been jailed for more than two years after she sexually assaulted a pupil.

Catherine Pearl, from Abingdon, had been working at Didcot Girls' School whilst the victim was a pupil at the school.

The 50-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a girl as an adult abusing a position of trust in November last year.

Pearl was sentenced to two years and four months in prison during the hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Friday.

The offences were reported to Thames Valley Police in 2023, and Pearl was charged in October 2024.

Investigating officer Det Con Sarah Tibble paid tribute to the victim, who she said had shown "such bravery" in coming forward to report the offences and "put her trust in Thames Valley Police to bring Catherine Pearl to justice".

"If you are a victim, or have any suspicions about a crime no matter when it took place, please contact Thames Valley Police," she added.

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