Senior master at Eton is to face trial on allegations of sexual assault, voyeurism, and making indecent images of children
- Senior master at Eton was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault May last year
- Married teacher suspended from role on the day of arrest and now dismissed
- He faces seven counts of sexual assault relating to three victims and voyeurism
A senior master at Eton has been charged with sexual assault and making indecent photographs of children, it emerged yesterday.
The teacher at the £40,000-a-year private school near Windsor, which was previously attended by Prince William, Prince Harry and Boris Johnson, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in May last year.
The married master was suspended from his role at Eton on the day of his arrest and has since been dismissed.
He appeared before local magistrates on Tuesday and faces seven counts of sexual assault relating to three victims, three counts of making indecent photographs of children and one count of voyeurism.
A senior master at Eton has been charged with sexual assault and making indecent photographs of children, it emerged yesterday (stock image)
A letter from the Head Master of Eton, Simon Henderson, to parents of boys at the school reveals that the teacher will face trial next month.
Mr Henderson wrote: ‘The welfare and the wellbeing of the boys is my top priority. We stand firmly behind those boys and families directly involved, who have acted with great dignity and courage throughout.’
He added: ‘I appreciate that many of you were very close [to him] and that you trusted him. I know that you and your sons will be shocked and upset by this news and we wish to do all we can to support you.’
A meeting was held at the school last night to discuss the circumstances of the case, and a further meeting will be held this weekend. Mr Henderson said the boys at the school have been told about the allegations. He promised to write to former pupils.
At the time of the teacher’s arrest, a source commented: ‘It is a major scandal and has come as a massive shock to everyone. It’s the talk of the whole school.’
Mr Henderson has brought in a child safeguarding officer from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council to provide support and advice to the school and the alleged victims.
The teacher at the £40,000-a-year private school near Windsor, which was previously attended by Prince William, Prince Harry and Boris Johnson, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in May last year (stock image)
Eton said in a statement last night: ‘Eton College can confirm that, as a result of information passed by the school to the local authority designated officer and to the police, a member of staff was arrested in May 2019, suspended from work and subsequently dismissed.
‘He has been charged with a number of criminal offences and, given the ongoing criminal proceedings, we cannot comment further about the details of this case.
‘The welfare and wellbeing of our pupils is Eton’s top priority and when appropriate, as in this case, we always work very closely with the relevant external agencies, in line with our established procedures.’
Founded in 1440 by Henry VI, Eton has a reputation as one of the world’s best schools.
It has 1,300 pupils, a third of whom go on to Oxford or Cambridge, and has been called ‘the chief nurse of England’s statesmen’ due to the number who go on to hold high office. Alumni include Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and 20 prime ministers including Mr Johnson and David Cameron.