Teacher jailed after sending naked photos before having sex with ‘haunted’ pupil | UK | News
A former teacher at a Southampton school has been jailed for sexually abusing a teenage pupil. Edward George Waller, 66, of Winter Road, Southsea, was convicted at Portsmouth Crown Court of engaging in sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust and two counts of causing or encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity while in a position of trust.
The offenses took place when the girl was aged 16 to 17, while Waller was a history teacher at St Anne’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Southampton. The court heard Waller gave the student his mobile phone number and soon the messages became sexually explicit, including sending naked pictures of himself. He then invited the girl to his home where sexual activity took place.
On Friday, February 20, Waller was sentenced to six years in prison and will be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
The victim read a statement in court describing the lasting impact of Waller’s abuse on her life, describing her difficulties forming relationships and the trauma of reliving her experiences during the trial.
She said: “I want to be clear: I did not give evidence that would hurt her. I did it for myself. These events disturbed me and I needed closure, which I never had at the time. I am writing this on behalf of a vulnerable young man who was simply looking for safety and love, who did not deserve what happened to him, and who carried the shame that was not his own for too long.”
The offenses came to light following an investigation in 2023 by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Operation Marmion, which investigates non-recent allegations of sexual abuse by institutions or public figures.
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Detective Constable Laura Hardie, who led the investigation, praised the victim’s bravery. He said: “The survivor of this abuse was a vulnerable young girl at the time. She was abused by someone she should have trusted – a teacher at her own school. “She showed incredible courage in having to speak about what happened in court.
“Their support, along with the support of the witnesses, has ensured that Waller is now brought to justice.”
She urged anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to come forward, emphasizing that specially trained officers will listen and investigate prosecutions.
Anyone concerned about abuse can contact police confidentially on 101 or Hampshire Police website.
Victims of sexual abuse or other crime can also contact the Victim Care Center on 0808 178 1641 or at Hub.hiow@victimsupport.org.uk between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Saturday.
Outside these hours, or if they live outside Hampshire, they can call 0808 168 9111 or visit the Victim Support website.
