Soon we'll be jailing people for life for sitting inappropriately close to someone. Our society really has gone mad. OK - I agree that teachers and relatives need to be warned not to take advantage of situations but really...

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2691952...led-eight-years.html

Reading the article - I find little sympathy with the Teacher in this case.
He was 57yrs old, and the teenage pupil went to him in his capacity as a Religious Education teacher with personal problems.
Assuming the information in the article is correct,- which it appears to be if he pleaded guilty - then I do think this was a gross breach of trust, and he should be punished.
I do have sympathy with people like Jeremy Foster where the girl was not in a vulnerable state, and at an age where she is capable of making adult decisions - but a 57 RE teacher seducing a vulnerable teenager is different

This case really does show contrast to most of the Yewtree cases in that the person convicted clearly did not have himself under control and thus the school had suspended him because of concerns and later good evidence was on the person's computer. I note that the historic case said the girl was 13. So the concern I have with historic testimony as used in the present climate is it not substantive evidence. So historic testimony could be false, embellished or a distorted memory (As well as correct and precise) then the case could well be embellished beyond what the established substantive evidence shows in order to give credit to the CPS and others and a longer sentence.
From what I have read and if correct then in this case for those protecting their family and society a job well done and trust the family, girl, school can all have a great future. That the school and the law people feel satisfied to a job done promptly. To the convicted and family that they also can put their lives back together. I say to all not one of us can change the past and most of us mere mortals have regrets some big some small. As to regrets Leave them and live to make the best of today and plan for a great future.
I would add it's a pity we as people can not be more open to sexual matters and thus tackle head on our sexuality and in thus doing so in a school place, for example, there would be training and help for teachers how to avoid the obvious temptations and help when they are having trouble without losing their jobs for getting pre-emptive help. Guidelines in how to avoid compromising situations.
Thanks JK2006 for pointing out article. I will consider using in my book if no else publishes before hand.

John Marsh wrote:
This case really does show contrast to most of the Yewtree cases in that the person convicted clearly did not have himself under control and thus the school had suspended him because of concerns and later good evidence was on the person's computer. I note that the historic case said the girl was 13. So the concern I have with historic testimony as used in the present climate is it not substantive evidence. So historic testimony could be false, embellished or a distorted memory (As well as correct and precise) then the case could well be embellished beyond what the established substantive evidence shows in order to give credit to the CPS and others and a longer sentence.
From what I have read and if correct then in this case for those protecting their family and society a job well done and trust the family, girl, school can all have a great future. That the school and the law people feel satisfied to a job done promptly. To the convicted and family that they also can put their lives back together. I say to all not one of us can change the past and most of us mere mortals have regrets some big some small. As to regrets Leave them and live to make the best of today and plan for a great future.
I would add it's a pity we as people can not be more open to sexual matters and thus tackle head on our sexuality and in thus doing so in a school place, for example, there would be training and help for teachers how to avoid the obvious temptations and help when they are having trouble without losing their jobs for getting pre-emptive help. Guidelines in how to avoid compromising situations.
Thanks JK2006 for pointing out article. I will consider using in my book if no else publishes before hand.


I think the training for how to avoid temptations and situations that could be misunderstood is already included in the safeguarding for teachers. (and other caring professions)
I am sure there is not one person alive who is unaware of the law, and unaware of how damaging an abuse of trust can be.

Can you tell us more about your book please John?

Hi Honey. Firstly I am not a writer but like the good folk on this site concerned about injustice. When in Northern Ireland followed a little the case of Liam Adam accused of raping his daughter. The judge said it had to be true because the accuser told a really believable story. To be frank without the internet I saw the satanic stories and such like years ago but although disbeleiving at the time did nothing. So when JS came around then Yewtree I followed closely and when Max Clifford got convicted I felt so incensed I wrote a book and put it on Amazon Kindle. "Max Clifford Why I Believe He Is Innocent" by John Marsh. I wrote it to trackle the problem and get it off my chest. If it ever sells well of course I will be delighted but had no illusions that it would not make best seller. Have sold I think atleast three copies. But do not regret doing so. But the effort to get it done was exhausting so had really hoped that if Rolf Harris convicted or not it would be a fair trial with the right outcome. Now going back through it I am faced with having to produce another Kindle book. Which I will call "Rolf Harris Why I Believe He Is Innocent" But, of course, if someone else does the job soon I will be free to continue with my main Kindle book which at this point in time I am calling "The Architect" which is setting out what I consider a reasonable government or opposition party should work at acheiving. The same thing as a business plan or a plan for a product. What should be expected. And if any area an individual wants a differ from my outlay, they may say no I do not want a government who care for the poor I prefer a facist government then they can adjust my plan and add their reasons why they want the poor to commit suicide or whatever. I want to bring clarity so a person can see what is needed. That's it in brief.