Latest Offenders Staffordshire

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A TEACHER jailed for having internet sex chats with a schoolgirl once taught pupils a lesson on lap dancing and porn, it was claimed last night. Craig Lindsay, 37, from Uttoxeter, was locked up for 15 months by a judge at Stafford Crown Court for having explicit conversations with the teenage girl via a webcam. Now an ex-pupil has claimed the married teacher once put on a racy lesson for older students while working at Thomas Alleynes School. On a Facebook page dedicated to the dad-of-two, the former student wrote: One of the funniest times ever was when Lindsay was showing us a powerpoint presentation on lap dancing and porn. The best sociology lesson ever the first one of my Year 12 year. He is a certified legend! Staffordshire County Council was unaware of the new claims, but said there had been no other complaints about Lindsay. The pervert teacher was charged with inciting a child to sexual activity and sexual activity in the presence of a child. The court heard he first took an interest in his victim when she was aged 14, showering her with compliments, although the abuse did not start until she was 16 or 17. During the hearing, the teacher admitted that he had flattered and complimented the girl before going on to exchange a mass of sexual messages over the internet. It led ultimately to him performing a sex act in front of a webcam with his victim watching, the court heard. Defence lawyer Andy Easteal said: He said he was going to be thinking rude thoughts about her and what he would like to do to her. On quite a few occasions he performed a sexual act in front of the computer. This conduct all took place online, it never involved any physical proximity. They both knew and understood it to be a fanciful series of exchanges and messages. None of the things that were discussed were embarked upon. The chat went on for months but was only discovered on the girls laptop computer a couple of years later. Jailing Lindsay, Judge Michael Challinor said: This kind of sexual abuse damages the integrity of our school system. Parents must be able to trust teachers to deal with their children appropriately. You were a teacher and its clear you began to groom her for your own purposes when she was 14. You knew she was vulnerable and by a number of devices, flattery and subterfuge, you drew her in to this sexual activity. There was no penetrative sexual activity. She has suffered some psychological harm by reason of the discovery, the humiliation of the investigation by family and the police. Her introduction to a sexual relationship was not normal it was with you, a 37 year-old married man. A spokesman for Staffordshire County Council said: Mr Lindsay was suspended from his post in November 2009 following an allegation which has been investigated and concluded. He has since resigned from his post, and his case is being referred to the Independent Safeguarding Authority. Prior to this, there had been no previous complaints about his teaching practice.

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A karate instructor who fled to Spain during his trial on sex abuse charges against teenagers in his care has been jailed for six years and eight months. Graham Phillips, 53, from Hill Ridware, near Rugeley, Staffs, went on the run 10 days into his trial last December.

Phillips was then convicted of nine indecent assaults and given a six-year prison sentence in his absence.

He was extradited to Britain from Majorca on Monday and has been given an eight-month term for breaching bail.

"This has brought a sense of closure to the victims who Phillips preyed upon" Insp Nick Lakin.

Phillips, formerly of Uttoxeter Road, Hill Ridware, was arrested last month and appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday after being held in custody overnight.

He had denied 10 counts of indecent assault against girls aged between 13 and 16 at his trial in December but was convicted of seven offences.

He also denied two further counts of rape, although the jury instead returned guilty verdicts of indecent assault on those charges.

Phillips was also banned from working with children and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

'Rebuild' lives

Insp Nick Lakin, who led the initial investigation, said: "Phillips is a dangerous, manipulative paedophile who was determined to escape justice at any cost.

"It has taken several months to trace him and bring him back to Britain and we would like to thank the public for their co-operation in the investigation.

"This has brought a sense of closure to the victims who Phillips preyed upon.

"Hopefully now they and their families can begin to rebuild their lives."