Eton head apologises after former teacher jailed for sexual assault | Private schools
The headmaster of Eton College has apologized and said he was “horrified” after a former teacher was jailed for sexually assaulting a pupil.
Jacob Leland, who teaches Russian, was sentenced to three years and three months in prison on Friday for sexually assaulting one of his students during a school field trip.
Leland, then 23, carried out the attacks in 2012 while he was working at a prestigious boys’ boarding school. He first attacked the student after inviting him and his friends to his flat and gave them alcohol and cigarettes.
The victim kissed the boy after his friends left and the student placed his hands on his own crotch, Reading court heard. Leland committed a third sexual assault on the student by performing oral sex on her during a field trip away from school.
Eton is England’s largest boarding school and its former pupils include Prince William and Prince Harry. Twenty former prime ministers, including most recently Boris Johnson, are from Old Eton.
Leland, of Gatcombe Road in Tufnell Park, north London, was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault on a man last year following a trial at Reading crown court.
Headteacher Simon Henderson, who was off duty at the time of the attack, said in a statement: “Eton needs to acknowledge not only that such a serious incident occurred at our school, but also that it has taken several years for the details of what happened to come to light.
“As headmaster, I remain appalled that this abuse took place at Eton. “Leland’s criminal behavior represents the most appalling breach of trust.
“Those directly affected by Leland’s actions had the right to be safe in our care.
“On behalf of the school, I reiterate my unreserved apologies to them.”
At the sentencing hearing in Reading on Friday, judge Kirsty Real told Leland: “The relationship between teacher and pupil in a school undoubtedly gives rise to a significant level of liability to the victim which the victim would be entitled to rely on.”
The house manager at one of the school’s 25 boarding houses “trusted” Leland to look after pupils and abide by the school’s rules, the court was told on Friday.
Real added: “For the victim, the psychological effects of what you did to her were long-lasting and serious.”
In his statement, Henderson said the welfare and well-being of students at the school is his “number one priority.”
He said: “When safeguarding issues arise they are dealt with in accordance with our established processes.
“We work closely with external authorities, escalating matters to them when appropriate, as we did in this case.”
