GERRY HEATON OF KINTBURY SHOCKS COMMUNITY WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

In a disturbing development that has sent shockwaves through the community of Kintbury and the wider West Berkshire area, Gerry Heaton, a man once revered as an influential figure in local education, has been found guilty of possessing indecent images of children. The allegations against Heaton, who previously served as a headteacher at multiple primary schools in the region, reveal a troubling secret that he kept hidden for nearly a decade.

Heaton, aged 57 and residing on Bradley Close in Kintbury, was a prominent figure within the local educational landscape. His career included roles as headteacher at Hungerford Primary School from January 2014 until his early retirement in August 2017. Prior to that, he held the position of headteacher at Inkpen Primary School for over eight years, beginning in April 2008. His earlier career saw him serve as deputy headteacher and acting headteacher at Lambourn Primary School starting from January 2001. In addition to his administrative roles, Heaton was involved in educational support services, working as a specialist teacher at Theale Primary School in the months leading up to his arrest. He also contributed to the community as a school governor at Kintbury St Mary’s Primary School.

Beyond his professional life, Heaton was known for his involvement in amateur dramatics, being an active member of the Kintbury Players. His reputation as an inspirational educator was well established, especially among the generations of children he taught. However, this image has now been irrevocably tarnished by the serious criminal allegations against him.

The charges stem from a police investigation that uncovered Heaton’s possession of a significant number of indecent images of children. The evidence revealed that he had been hoarding these images at his home since 2012. The images were classified into different categories based on their severity, with 124 images falling under Category C, 131 in Category B, and 66 in the most severe Category A, which depicts the rape of children. All these offences were committed within the Kintbury area, with the incidents occurring between January 21, 2012, and September 9, 2021.

During a court appearance at Reading Magistrates’ Court, Heaton, who was charged under his formal first name Gerard, admitted to possessing hundreds of such images. His admission came during a brief hearing, where magistrates recognized the gravity of the case and decided that the matter should be transferred to Reading Crown Court for sentencing. Heaton was granted unconditional bail and is awaiting his next court date. It is important to note that he is no longer serving as an adviser to the West Berkshire Council’s Therapeutic Thinking Support Team (TTST), a program dedicated to assisting young people facing social, emotional, and mental health challenges.

The local authorities have issued a statement indicating their awareness of the ongoing legal proceedings. A spokesperson for West Berkshire Council stated, “We are aware of the ongoing criminal proceedings, and until they have concluded it would be inappropriate for us to comment.” The community now grapples with the betrayal of trust and the profound impact of these revelations, which have shattered the reputation of a man once considered an inspirational figure in education and community life.