JACQUES DU PLESSIS SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN HINSTOCK, NEWPORT, AND NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME
Former Harrow teacher banned for life after child sex assault Jacques Lodewyck Du Plessis, aged 51, a former educator at the John Lyon School in Harrow, has been permanently barred from teaching and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely following his conviction for grooming and sexually assaulting a minor.The court found that although his offences did not involve a student from his school, authorities uncovered personal items of his, including sex toys and a bondage kit, beneath his desk at the school.
Du Plessis was initially prosecuted after a series of heinous crimes involving a young boy, which unfolded across multiple locations including Hinstock, Newport in Shropshire, and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The case highlighted the disturbing nature of his offences and the dedicated efforts of law enforcement to secure justice.
The offender, described by authorities as a 'dangerous' predator, initiated contact with the victim through Snapchat, a popular social media platform.
Over time, their communication escalated, culminating in Du Plessis arranging to meet the boy in Newcastle-under-Lyme last year.
The meeting marked the beginning of a series of sexual assaults carried out by Du Plessis over the following days.
During one of these incidents, he recorded the act on his mobile phone, further complicating the case and adding to the evidence against him.
Following a detailed investigation launched by Staffordshire Police in May, Du Plessis was charged with multiple serious offences, including three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a boy, one count of meeting a boy following grooming, and the production and distribution of indecent images of a child.
He pleaded guilty to all charges, leading to a swift legal process.
On April 17, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Du Plessis was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison, reflecting the gravity of his actions and the harm caused to the young victim.
The court also revealed that Du Plessis had communicated with the victim via Snapchat, assaulted him multiple times, and recorded one of the incidents.
The school responded promptly by suspending him after his arrest and later dismissing him.
The case drew further attention when a tribunal panel, on June 11, 2026, decided to permanently ban Du Plessis from teaching, citing the severity and repeated nature of his misconduct.
The panel noted that his actions involved intentional, repeated sexual misconduct over a period, with no remorse or understanding of the harm caused, thereby endangering pupils.
During the sentencing, PC Bev Rainer, a member of the child protection team, commended the bravery of the survivor and emphasised the importance of speaking out against such offenders.
She reassured the public that police remain committed to tackling child exploitation and sexual abuse.
The police reiterated their message that help and support are available for victims, regardless of how much time has passed since the offences occurred.
They urged anyone affected or with information about similar crimes to come forward, ensuring offenders are held accountable and victims receive the necessary assistance.
