GILES RICKETT SHOCKS HEMEL HEMPSTEAD AND ST ALBANS WITH SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Hemel Hempstead and St Albans, Giles Rickett, a 40-year-old physical education teacher, was found guilty of inappropriate conduct involving young girls at the school where he was employed. The verdict was delivered after a two-week trial at St Albans Crown Court, where the jury convicted Rickett on four counts of engaging in sexual activity with minors while in a position of trust.

Rickett, who resides in Hemel Hempstead, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years. Despite this, he was acquitted of seven other similar charges. The judge, Stephen Gullick, ordered that Rickett's name be entered into the sex offenders' register for the next decade, emphasizing the severity of his misconduct.

Throughout the proceedings, it was revealed that Rickett, a married man and department head as well as a form tutor, had inappropriately touched young girls during sports sessions at the school. The victims, all in their early teens, were subjected to his misconduct over a period spanning from 2010 to 2011. Rickett maintained his innocence, denying all eleven charges brought against him.

During the trial, Miss Mary Loram, representing the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), described Rickett as a well-liked and respected teacher, appreciated by both colleagues and students. She noted, however, that there was a darker side to his character, as the charges involved abuse of younger girls at the school. The prosecution argued that the abuse was not of the most severe nature but involved quick, opportunistic touching during activities such as swimming lessons, where Rickett would chase and tickle the girls.

Miss Loram characterized Rickett’s actions as “opportunistic groping,” actions that might be dismissed as harmless by an older, more mature individual but were deeply inappropriate given the victims' age. The case came to light after one of the girls confided in her mother, who promptly reported the incident to the school authorities.

Baljit Ubhey, OBE, the Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern CPS, provided further details about Rickett’s misconduct. She explained that Rickett, trusted as a PE and swimming instructor, had violated school policies by creating a separate girls-only swimming club, where he would enter the pool with the girls, throw them around, and tickle them—actions that were not only against school rules but also involved inappropriate physical contact. She added that Rickett would also enter girls’ changing rooms without permission while they were undressed, and during these times, he would touch them inappropriately under the guise of tickling, causing discomfort and distress.

Despite being warned by superiors about the inappropriateness of his behavior, Rickett continued his actions. Parents of the victims raised concerns and complaints, which eventually led to police involvement. During police interviews, Rickett claimed that any inappropriate touching was accidental, a defense that was widely dismissed given the frequency and pattern of his conduct across multiple victims.

The prosecution highlighted that Rickett exploited his authority and trust to access vulnerable children, abusing his position for personal gratification. The bravery of the young girls in coming forward was instrumental in uncovering the full extent of his misconduct. Prosecutor Ubhey expressed hope that the verdict would bring some measure of closure to the victims, allowing them to begin healing from this traumatic experience and move forward with their lives.

As the community processes this case, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding measures within educational institutions and the devastating impact when those entrusted with children’s care abuse that trust.