ALEXANDER ELDRIDGE SHOCKS HERTFORD WITH CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN CHESHUNT PRIMARY SCHOOL

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Hertford community, Alexander Eldridge, a 33-year-old teacher from Windsor Drive, Hertford, was convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young children at a primary school in Cheshunt. The incidents, which spanned over a year, included multiple acts of sexual assault, inappropriate touching, and the taking of indecent images of children, leading to a severe legal response and widespread condemnation.

In February 2018, Eldridge was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two five-year-old girls and secretly photographing children, including images taken up their skirts. During the sentencing hearing, Judge Warner described Eldridge’s conduct as a gross breach of trust, emphasizing that as a primary school teacher, he was entrusted with the safety and well-being of his pupils. The judge pointed out that Eldridge had been warned about previous inappropriate conduct but continued to engage in such behavior, which he said had tarnished the reputation of the teaching profession and posed a significant danger to children.

The court heard that Eldridge had also inappropriately touched a five-year-old girl while assisting her in changing out of her swimming costume. Evidence presented revealed that he used his private camera to take explicit photographs of children, including several images where children were undressed. These disturbing acts led to Eldridge being sentenced to four years in prison. Additionally, he was issued an eight-year sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits him from deleting his internet history or taking pictures of girls under 18 in underwear. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Members of Eldridge’s family, present in the public gallery during the sentencing, were visibly emotional, with some members crying as the court proceedings concluded. The case highlighted the severity of his crimes and the breach of trust involved, raising concerns about safeguarding and the oversight of individuals working with children.

Earlier in January 2018, Eldridge’s depraved actions came to light when it was revealed that he had organized a twisted “wet play day” at the same primary school, which he exploited as a cover for his sexual predation. During this event, he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl and secretly filming up her skirt while she sat on his lap. Prosecutor Sarah Morris described Eldridge as “hiding in plain sight,” noting that he had been a teacher at the school since 2011 and that his inappropriate behavior was motivated by his own sexual needs.

Judge Warner, who adjourned sentencing, acknowledged that a custodial sentence was inevitable given the evidence. Police investigations uncovered disturbing images on Eldridge’s computer, including photographs of girls in their underwear taken as they descended a slide, along with other child abuse images downloaded from the internet. In May of the previous year, Eldridge had sent messages to parents informing them of the “water day” event, instructing them to bring clothes and towels for children to get wet. The headteacher had approved the activity, believing it to have educational value.

During the event, children played outside in a paddling pool, on a slide, with buckets, and a bubble machine. After the session, Eldridge returned to his classroom alone, where he helped a five-year-old girl change, during which he sexually touched her. When confronted by the girl’s father, Eldridge responded dismissively, claiming, “School is my life.”

Further police investigations revealed a video recorded on a GoPro camera, showing Eldridge with a five-year-old girl sitting on his lap while he recorded her singing. In the footage, he lifted her skirt and filmed her underwear. Eldridge was ultimately found guilty of six offenses, including two counts of sexual assault on a child, committed between July 2016 and June 2017. His sentencing was scheduled for February 20, and the case continues to resonate as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from predators within educational settings.