Northamptonshire teacher, Robert Gould, guilty of sexual abuse against schoolchildren
A former teacher has been convicted of grooming and abusing boys in his class more than 50 years after he began preying on children.
Robert Gould, 74, who taught at South End Junior School in Rushden, Northamptonshire, exploited every opportunity to molest his victims, from pretending to check their clothing to assaulting them during school trips, chess club sessions, and even in his own classroom.
Gould used his position as a teacher at South End Junior School in Rushden and as a leader at Park Road Methodist Church youth group to groom and abuse boys between 1971 and 1987.
One victim described being raped multiple times in a storage cupboard in Gould’s classroom. In one particularly harrowing case, a 10-year-old boy was assaulted in his own bed during a stay at Gould’s home.
His victims, now grown men, described how he destroyed their childhoods, leaving them with lasting trauma including depression, anxiety and nightmares. One man said Gould took his innocence and violated him, while another recalled how he went from being a happy child who loved school to one who pretended to be ill to avoid attending.
The scale of Gould’s offending only came to light in 2021 when a victim made an online report to police. This triggered a major investigation that uncovered 12 more victims.
Northampton Crown Court heard complaints about Gould’s behaviour had been made as far back as the 1980s, but he had managed to evade justice for decades. In 1988 he left teaching after allegations were made about his abuse of five boys, but no prosecution followed at the time. Another victim came forward in the early 2000s but died before authorities could take action.
Judge David Herbert KC said Gould had shown no remorse for his crimes and described how he had stolen the innocence of his victims. Gould was found guilty of 29 charges including multiple counts of indecent assault and gross indecency with boys under 14, as well as serious sexual offences against boys under 16.
He was sentenced to 26 years in prison.
Gould’s case is a critical reminder that it is never too late to seek justice for historic abuse.
As well as obtaining justice through the criminal process, survivors can be compensated through the civil process for the harm caused to them by the abuse. Bolt Burdon Kemp is committed to supporting survivors of abuse in obtaining the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been affected by sexual violence, we offer free, confidential advice to help you understand your options.
