CARL GIBBONS FROM WEST DRAYTON SENTENCED FOR GROOMING SCHOOLGIRLS IN NORTHWOOD AND HAREFIELD

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local communities, Carl Gibbons, a 32-year-old teacher from West Drayton, has been convicted of serious misconduct involving schoolgirls he was supposed to be educating and guiding. Gibbons, who resided on Fairway Avenue in West Drayton, was found guilty of grooming pupils at The Harefield Academy, located in Northwood Way, Harefield, an incident that led to his dismissal from the school last year following an internal investigation.

The troubling allegations surfaced in December 2010 when The Harefield Academy contacted law enforcement authorities after receiving credible information suggesting that a teacher was engaged in inappropriate relationships with students. The police, specifically the Child Abuse Investigation Team based in Northwood, launched a comprehensive inquiry into the matter. Their investigation uncovered evidence that Gibbons had sent suggestive messages via text and email to at least two pupils, with indications that he had attempted to arrange meetings with both girls outside of school hours.

Following the investigation, Gibbons was formally arrested in February of the following year. His arrest was conducted by appointment, and he was subsequently released on bail under strict conditions, including orders to stay away from the school premises and the two pupils involved in the case. The legal process continued as he was formally charged on April 14, and by December, he had admitted to two counts of incitement to commit a sexual act on a child.

Detective Constable Martyn Vittle, who was involved in the case, stated, “Gibbons was a popular secondary school teacher and used this to form inappropriate friendships with female students, which he then exploited by arranging to meet them. He also worked as a football coach in the Chalfont area, and I would urge any girls who have concerns about their contact with Carl Gibbons to come forward and speak to the police.”

Throughout the investigation, authorities worked closely with The Harefield Academy and Hillingdon Council to ensure that the inquiry was handled with sensitivity, while diligently gathering evidence to support the case against Gibbons. The culmination of this legal process occurred on Friday, January 6, at Harrow Crown Court, where Gibbons was sentenced to 48 weeks in jail. However, the sentence was suspended for 18 months, meaning he will not serve time unless he commits another offence within that period.