A former teacher who was jailed for indecently assaulting a pupil has been banned from teaching for life. Christopher Sillitoe, who until recently lived in Calstock and is now in his 70s, was jailed for four years in 2021 for crimes committed in Essex 40 years ago while he was working as a secondary teacher.

Sillitoe was recently the subject of a Teaching Regulation Agency professional conduct panel meeting which ruled on whether or not he be allowed to teach in the future.

The panel noted that the behaviour involved in committing the offences had an impact on the safety or security of pupils and Sillitoe’s behaviour in committing the offences could undoubtedly affect public confidence in the teaching profession, particularly given the influence that teachers may have on pupils, parents and others in the community.

A judgement read: “His conduct ran counter to what should have been at the very core of his practice as a teacher with a duty of care towards children. By virtue of his position, Mr Sillitoe was in a position of trust and responsibility in relation to Person A (the victim). Mr Sillitoe seriously abused that position.” The hearing also noted the findings of the court and the impact of the crimes on the victim.

The prohibition order imposed at the hearing prevents Sillitoe from teaching indefinitely in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

At the sentencing hearing in 2021 the court heard that Sillitoe began “paying attention” and “complimented” the victim, as well as offering her extra help with lessons.

Sillitoe, who has been retired from teaching for some time, and the victim had “mutually flirted” in the school before the flirting progressed, leading to the first indecent assault.

The former chemistry teacher had bought the victim a magazine as a gift before meeting her outside the staff room door where he kissed her.

From there, their relationship developed and they regularly went into the science “prep room” where they would kiss and “fumble around”.

A year later, they began to regularly spend time outside the school environment during lunchtimes. The court heard that Sillitoe would pick the victim up in his car from a prearranged meeting place, where they “wouldn’t be seen”.

During the meetings, the victim was told to “duck down and hide” in the footwell of his car and was asked to “sneak around the back” of his flat so his neighbours would not see her going inside, the court heard.

The court also heard that after this, the more “serious indecent assaults” occurred, with the victim impact statement stating that “nearly every time they saw each other, there would be sexual activity”.

One year later, it was told to the court, Sillitoe and the victim began engaging in sexual intercourse while she was under the age of 16. The court also heard that Sillitoe told the victim to “get contraception” as well as requesting that she wore lingerie.

The court heard that Sillitoe, who also has links to Plymouth, had a “controlling influence” over the victim, and would often threaten suicide if she attempted to split up with him.

He had also installed a phone inside her room and would call her three times a day to see what she was doing and he “did not like her socialising with men of her age”, the court heard.

If you would like to discuss your experiences further – please contact Charles Derham on 02393552153 or by email on charles@remedylaw.co.uk to discuss the viability of a civil claim for compensation