Former teacher and archery coach jailed for abusing boys

A former teacher has been jailed after pleading guilty to seven charges of abusing three children.

Appearing before Swindon Crown Court today (04/06) Chris Fox, 39, from Pinehurst in Swindon, was given a nine year custodial sentence, of which he will serve five years and three months in jail.

Judge Jason Taylor also indicated that Fox must serve the remaining three years and nine months on extended licence.

In addition, he will have to abide by an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The court heard how the former teacher, who ran an archery club, had worked at various schools in Swindon.

He had groomed his young victims, and offered them gifts, in order to gain their trust.

Judge Taylor said that Fox ‘cynically and manipulatively took advantage’ for his own sexual gratification.

Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Constable Lucy Hartshorn said: “Fox abused his profession and position of trust that is supposed to safeguard and teach a vulnerable cohort of society. 

“He took advantage of his access to young children through teaching and his archery club and used it to form close relationships with young males, build trust with their parents, and target his victims. 

“Fox knew these children well, knew their vulnerabilities and deliberately sought them out to play the role in their life they needed most, at a very influential stage of their childhood; through puberty. 

“He manipulated each of his victims to believe the sexual experiences he was exposing them to were ‘normal’ when they were nothing but exploitation and abuse. He exploited and humiliated them, whilst controlling their entire sexual awakening and normalising excessive online sexual activity to serve his own sexual desires.

“By having this control over his victims, he successfully protected himself from becoming exposed for many years; until now, thanks to the bravery of the victims, who now as young men have shown incredible courage to come forward. 

“The community owes a lot to these victims for speaking up, because now we can put measures in place to limit his access to young people and prevent him from offending in this way again.”

Links to the support available to victims of sexual abuse and advice on how to report concerns can be found on the Wiltshire Police website: Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences | Wiltshire Police