JOHN FENTON FROM BURSTLEM SENTENCED FOR ABUSE IN STAFFORDSHIRE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Burslem and the wider Staffordshire area, John Fenton, a 73-year-old former teacher, was found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of four years. The offences, which took place in Staffordshire, involved the abuse of a young boy whom Fenton had initially gained the trust of through a series of seemingly innocent gestures.

According to court proceedings, Fenton, who had previously worked as both an educator and an electrical and software engineer, used a manipulative approach to groom his young victim. The court heard that Fenton would present small gifts to the boy as a means of establishing a false sense of friendship and trust. Prosecutor Lynette McClement detailed how Fenton then escalated his actions, telling the boy, “I have given you these, I think we should have some type of payment.” The boy, confused and unsure, believed he was being asked for money, but it soon became apparent that Fenton was requesting a different form of compensation.

Fenton’s depraved conduct involved physically assaulting the boy with a cane, often after pulling down his trousers and forcing him to bend over furniture. The court was told that the young victim did not fully understand the gravity of what was happening at the time, but the abuse was clearly intended to satisfy Fenton’s own sexual desires. On one particularly disturbing occasion, after administering a caning, Fenton instructed the boy to strip naked and lie face down on a bed. The defendant then proceeded to rub the boy’s back, bottom, and legs, while the victim, overwhelmed by humiliation, described crying and feeling utterly degraded.

The victim only came forward to report the abuse during a period of unrelated bereavement counselling, revealing the profound impact the trauma had on his life. In a statement read to the court, he explained how the abuse had affected his school performance and, as an adult, led to ongoing mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts.

Fenton’s arrest in 2018 marked the culmination of the investigation. He admitted to three counts of indecent assault during his trial, which was held at Stafford Crown Court. The court heard that Fenton’s actions had caused lasting damage to his victim, and despite the passage of time, the effects of his crimes remained evident.

Judge Michael Chambers QC sentenced Fenton to 16 months in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of his offenses. The judge stated, “You groomed the victim by offering various gifts in return for you striking him on the bottom with a cane. Although these offences took place some time ago, they have clearly had a lasting effect on him. You are an intelligent man and clearly knew what you were doing was wrong. These are serious offences and an immediate custodial sentence cannot be avoided.”

As part of his sentence, Fenton will be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct and safeguarding the community from potential future harm.