OAKS PARK HIGH CARSHALTON EX-TEACHER GARY VIGAR JAILED
A man who previously taught at Oaks Park High School in Carshalton has been sentenced to prison for child sexual abuse.Gary Vigar was working at the school in 2020 when he manipulated a young girl into engaging in sexual acts.
The 34-year-old initially denied all allegations, but during his trial, he pleaded guilty on the second day to charges including sexual assault and encouraging a child to engage in sexual activities.
On Friday, February 6, Judge Elizabeth Smaller sentenced Vigar to a term of five years and seven months behind bars, stating, “you only have yourself to blame, you have taken your life and blown it up.” Croydon Crown Court was informed that Vigar had groomed his victim over several months, during which they exchanged more than 2,000 messages online.
The court also heard that the defendant and the girl had late-night sexual telephone calls once his wife had gone to sleep.
Prosecutor Rebecca Foulkes detailed that Vigar kissed the girl multiple times and made her touch his genitalia at least six different occasions.
The victim later spoke to police, explaining: “I was scared that if I didn’t do what he asked… Don’t get me wrong, at first I was participating and asking for it, but later I didn’t really want to continue.
He told me he wanted to take my virginity, and he kept asking me to visit his house, but I kept refusing.” During the sentencing, the victim read a statement asserting, “Words don’t feel adequate to explain and describe the effect this abuse has had on me.” She added that she has spent many years merely trying to survive and expressed a desire to prevent other young people from experiencing similar trauma, saying, “I don’t want another innocent young person to live through that nightmare.
This isn’t revenge, it’s justice I deserve.”
