EDWARD MOORE SHOCKS ASCOT AND WITLEY WITH SEXUAL ABUSE AT ELITE SCHOOLS

In April 2015, a disturbing case emerged involving Edward Moore, a man from Ascot, who was convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a vulnerable teenage girl while serving as a choirmaster at a prestigious private school in Witley, Surrey. Moore, aged 24 at the time, was sentenced to nine months in prison after admitting to two counts of abusing a position of trust and engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 17 years old.

Moore’s relationship with the girl, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, began to develop after she confided in him about being a victim of abuse by another teacher at the school. The girl, who was only 16 at the time, sought Moore’s counsel and support, which gradually evolved into a close and inappropriate relationship. Over the course of the summer of 2013, their friendship deepened, and they traveled together on trips to the Isle of Wight and Westminster Abbey, often spending weekends together in secret.

The court heard that Moore, who was working at King Edward’s School in Witley, had only recently started his role as assistant director of music when he began to grow close to the girl. The girl had previously disclosed that she had been touched inappropriately by another teacher, Roger Sanders, who was later convicted and given a suspended sentence for his misconduct. Despite the warnings from the school’s headmaster to keep a professional distance, Moore’s relationship with the girl continued to develop.

Prosecutor Gary Ponds described how Moore, who was initially acting in a counselling capacity, crossed the boundaries of a proper teacher-student relationship. Their interactions eventually turned sexual, with Moore and the girl engaging in consensual sex in his office. Moore, in a moment of remorse, reportedly told her, “Oh my God, you have to forgive me, you will hate me one day.”

Details of the case revealed that Moore did not use protection during their sexual encounters, and after their relationship ended, he cut off contact. The girl, feeling overwhelmed and suicidal, later contacted Childline to seek help. She confided in a school chaplain, who was legally obliged to report her disclosures to the school authorities.

Judge Peter Moss, presiding over the case at Guildford Crown Court, emphasized the profound impact Moore’s actions had on the girl’s life. Her academic progress and future aspirations were severely affected, and she was forced to transfer to another school. The judge described her as a “bright and ambitious girl,” whose emotional well-being had been significantly damaged by Moore’s misconduct. The judge condemned Moore’s grooming behavior, noting that he exploited her vulnerabilities and that her feelings of infatuation were manipulated by his actions.

Moore, dressed in a white shirt and blue tie, was visibly emotional as the court proceedings detailed the trauma inflicted upon his victim. His defense, led by Rina-Marie Hill, argued that Moore had struggled to cope with the emotional toll of hearing about the girl’s previous abuse and that he had no formal training or experience in teaching. Hill described the sexual encounters as a “horrific mistake” that Moore would carry with him for the rest of his life, asserting that he would never teach again and that his conviction would remain on his record permanently.

Despite Moore’s early admission of guilt and his previously “exemplary” character, Judge Moss stated that it was “impossible” to avoid imposing an immediate custodial sentence. The judge emphasized that individuals in positions of trust, regardless of age, must be held accountable for their actions, especially when they exploit vulnerable young people. Moore was also ordered to register as a sex offender and was barred from working with children in the future, marking a significant and serious consequence for his misconduct.