Former teacher jailed for historical sexual abuse
GoogleA former school teacher has been jailed for sexually abusing two young pupils more than 40 years ago, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says.
Dennis Fletcher, who was a resident boarding master at Junior King's School in Canterbury in Kent, abused two boys under the age of 14 between 1978 and 1982.
Fletcher, from Broadstairs, pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault on one of the victims, while the second charge was proven following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.
On Friday at the same court, the 76-year-old was sentenced to 11 years and nine months in prison for two counts of indecent assault.
Fletcher had a flat next to the dormitories and would patrol at night, targeting boys who broke school rules, according to the CPS.
Louise Lamont, senior crown prosecutor from the CPS, said: "Fletcher was someone that the boys should have been able to trust, but instead he abused his position of power over the boys in his care in the most appalling way.
"The defendant had complete power over these boys, and it was unthinkable for them to speak out about what had happened to them at that time.
"Since then, they have tried to block out what happened to them but recently found the courage to report the sexual abuse they suffered to the police.
"Thanks to their bravery, Fletcher has now been brought to justice for his terrible crimes."
'We sincerely apologise'
Junior King's School had described Fletcher's behaviour as "appalling" and said the school had supported the authorities throughout the investigation.
"We are deeply saddened and shocked by his actions and we sincerely apologise to those affected," a school spokesperson added.
It said safeguarding was taken extremely seriously, with procedures regularly reviewed in line with statutory guidance, adding that the safety and wellbeing of pupils was always its top priority.
