Supply teacher jailed for spate of sexual assaults on primary school children

School had not heard of previous allegations against offender

Jonathan Clayton has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years (North Yorkshire Police)

A supply teacher has been jailed for eight and a half years for sexually assaulting six primary school pupils - around two years after similar allegations at a previous school were dropped.

Johnathan Clayton, from Carlton, Stockton-on-Tees, was found guilty of 13 counts of sexual assault following a trial at Teesside Crown Court in February.

The trial heard that the head of the school where Clayton committed the offences was unaware of the original allegations against him.

The supply firm said important information about the dropped prosecution was “withheld” and claimed that the first school, where he worked from 2016 to 2017, recommended him.

The trial heard that Clayton had a sexual interest in young girls and used opportunities in the classroom to touch them inappropriately, watch them dress and help them get changed, even though they were old enough to do it themselves.

He was suspended from the school, and from supply firm Vision for Education, after a number of pupils came forward with allegations about the incidents, which happened between March and May 2019.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, told the court: “These girls were very young, with an age range between seven and 11. Their experiences left them feeling 'creeped out' or very uncomfortable.”

Clayton denied the offences, saying there was nothing sexual about his behaviour, but admitted he gave the children hugs, helped them to get dressed and let them sit on his knee.

At the sentencing on Monday, Clayton also received an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Speaking afterwards, detective constable Gillian Gowling, from North Yorkshire Police, said: “Johnathan Clayton is a very manipulative individual, who used his trusted position as a teacher to touch these very young and vulnerable girls for his own sexual gratification.

“He displayed an extremely worrying pattern of behaviour, where he would take advantage of situations that arose at school to put his hands on the victims. This was usually when the youngsters were upset and he carried out the abuse under the guise of providing comforting.

“There were also occasions when he supposedly 'helped' the victims to put on or adjust items of clothing, including tights, when they clearly did not require such help.

“Due to the young age of the victims involved, it has been a complex and sensitive investigation.

“I hope that the outcome at court will help these very brave girls and their families to move on from this terrible experience, safe in the knowledge that justice has been served against the man responsible and he will never be allowed to teach children again.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “This is a horrifying case in which the offender exploited the trust that a number of pupils had placed in him.

“Fortunately, their bravery has helped to expose Clayton as a predator, and it is vital that all continue to receive all available support to recover.”

Speaking after the conviction in February, Richard Crane, head of education and skills at Durham County Council, said procedures were followed after the Crown Prosecution Service discontinued the previous criminal proceedings and recorded a not guilty verdict.

Mr Crane said: “Having considered that verdict and government guidance on giving references in such circumstances, appropriate information was supplied through the reference process, as well as to the Teaching Regulation Authority and the Disclosure and Barring Service.”

A spokesperson for Vision for Education said the firm took its safeguarding responsibilities seriously, and references were obtained from previous employers.

She said: “In this instance, all of the statutory checks relating to the candidate were clear but information relating to the previous allegations was withheld from us and, instead, the school where the first allegations were made expressly confirmed that the candidate was suitable to work with children and that they would recommend the candidate for employment.”

Press Association