BENJAMIN SARFAS, DISGRACED HAMPSHIRE TEACHER, SENTENCED IN BASINGSTOKE

A disgraced teacher from Hampshire has been sentenced to three years in prison after committing multiple sexual offences against children and filming young girls' skirts in a school setting. Benjamin Sarfas, 31, of Springvale Road, Kings Worthy, pleaded guilty to 19 counts of sexual misconduct involving minors. He was a newly qualified teacher at Kempshott Junior School in Basingstoke when his abusive behavior started in 2011, continuing until his arrest in March of the previous year, Winchester Crown Court was told. Dressed among dozens of family members of the nine victims, all girls aged between eight and 11, Sarfas was sentenced to prison. Prosecutor Kerry Maylin explained that the offences came to light when one girl told a friend that Sarfas had indecently assaulted her and asked her to go into a cupboard and close her eyes. She added that Sarfas had been warned by other teachers about being alone with girls, to which he responded, “it's just because I'm a man.” The court also heard of a voyeurism charge related to a file on Sarfas' computer, containing videos of one girl repeatedly removing and putting on her clothes while he asked her to practice changing. Sarfas was engaged and was due to marry in April last year; however, his fiancée, who was also a teacher, called off their wedding after his arrest in March. Miss Maylin noted that his ex-fiancée told police that Sarfas had admitted to thinking about young girls. Impact statements from the victims’ parents revealed the emotional toll. One mother said, “She's still frightened of seeing him. She doesn't like talking about what happened and does have nightmares. She doesn't want to get comfortable with teachers in case it happens again.” Another parent stated, “It led to her feeling disgusted with herself.” During mitigation, Dee Connolly mentioned that Sarfas’ prospects for a normal life and marriage were ruined and that his future appeared bleak. She added that he had been seeking therapy and expressed remorse for his actions. In total, Sarfas was sentenced to two years for seven counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, 12 months for 11 counts of taking indecent photographs of a minor, to run consecutively, and four months for voyeurism, to run concurrently. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and banned from working with children. Judge Keith Cutler described his actions as “disgusting and appalling,” emphasizing the significant and damaging impact on the victims, stating, “the effects on these children have been substantial, ruining what should have been a carefree youth.”