Ex-dance teacher jailed over historical sexual abuse

A former dance teacher has been jailed for 21 years for sexually abusing 10 children over more than 30 years.

John Maddox, 83, from Farnham, was convicted of 20 offences at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday, including indecent assault and attempted buggery against seven victims, and previously admitted six further counts against three other victims.

A spokesperson for Surrey Police said many of the offences, between 1972 and 2004, took place at Maddox's home. The victims were aged between eight and 15 at the time.

One of his victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said in a statement: "My childhood and innocence were taken away from me in a time and place where I was meant to be safe."

Another added: "I try to live every day with an open heart, and with trust, but what happened to me does make it extremely hard.

"John does not have remorse. If he did, we wouldn't even be here. One selfish, cruel man, has altered the lives of so many, for so long."

Maddox, who ran a dance school called Gardenia School of Dance, was arrested in September 2020 after two adults came forward to report his sexual abuse.

He admitted sexually abusing a number of children during police interviews, but denied further allegations as more victims came forward.

Maddox later answered "no comment" to further questions when he was re-arrested in November 2022.

A jury at Guildford Crown Court found him guilty of 20 offences on 18 February.

Det Sgt Brendan Roberts, who investigated the case for Surrey Police, said: "John Maddox was a sexual predator who preyed on children, he manipulated and took advantage of situations to sexually abuse his victims, through family connections or the dance school he ran.

"I would like to praise the victims for their courage in coming forward and giving evidence to help ensure that Maddox is behind bars where he belongs."

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