JONATHAN O’BRIEN OF BOSHAM AND CHICHESTER SENT TO PRISON FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN SEAFORD COLLEGE AND WINTERFOLD HOUSE

In a series of disturbing revelations spanning decades, Jonathan O’Brien, a former teacher from Bosham and Chichester, has been convicted and sentenced for multiple counts of sexual abuse against young boys at prestigious private schools, including Seaford College near Petworth, Winterfold House School near Kidderminster, and The Oratory School in South Oxfordshire.

O’Brien, now aged 61, admitted to two counts of historic indecent assaults committed at Seaford College in West Sussex during the early 1990s. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, came forward after a social media discussion about sexual abuse, which prompted him to contact Sussex Police. It was revealed that O’Brien exploited their shared interest in computers to groom the boy, gradually luring him into sexual activities both in O’Brien’s study at the school and at his residence in Oxfordshire.

The victim kept his traumatic experiences to himself for over 20 years until a family discussion about media coverage on sexual offending prompted him to finally seek justice. The police investigation uncovered that O’Brien had used his position and their mutual interests to manipulate the boy, leading to his eventual conviction. O’Brien was sentenced to two and a half years in prison at Guildford Crown Court after pleading guilty to the charges. This conviction added to his existing criminal record, as he was already serving a 13-year sentence handed down in 2014 at Chichester Crown Court for abuse committed at schools in Worcestershire and Oxfordshire between 1980 and 1989.

Following his 2014 conviction, O’Brien was placed on the sex offenders register for life and subjected to Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, which restrict his contact with children. Sussex Police, through PC Yvonne Daddow, emphasized the importance of victims coming forward, stating, “This offending came to light when the victim contacted us for the first time in 2017. Having courageously come forward, he supported our investigation and was ready to give evidence in court if necessary. It became clear that O’Brien had used an allegedly mutual interest in computers to groom the boy into sexual activity, in O’Brien’s study at the school and his home in Oxfordshire. The boy kept the distressing experiences to himself for more than 20 years until an chance family discussion about media coverage on sexual offending triggered him into coming forward. This case is another example of the way in which we will always take such reports seriously, no matter how long ago they relate to, and will seek to help achieve justice for victims wherever possible.”

O’Brien’s criminal history also includes a lengthy and disturbing history of abuse at Winterfold House School near Kidderminster and The Oratory School in South Oxfordshire during the 1980s. In January 2015, a panel of senior judges at London’s Court of Appeal upheld his 13-year sentence for abusing nine boys aged between 10 and 16. The judges dismissed O’Brien’s challenge to his sentence, describing it as “very substantial” but appropriate given the gravity of his crimes. Mrs Justice Swift highlighted how O’Brien exploited pupils’ loneliness, often plying them with alcohol and cigarettes, and showing them pornographic films. He would also make religious pupils swear on the Bible not to tell, luring them into darkrooms where he committed his sexual offenses. His abuse spanned several years, with his crimes coming to light only after a victim reported the abuse in 2013.

Despite his convictions, O’Brien continues to deny any wrongdoing, claiming he is the “innocent victim of a conspiracy,” and shows no remorse for his actions. His legal team argued that his 13-year sentence was excessive, but the court firmly rejected this, emphasizing the severity of his breach of trust. The court also upheld the Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that bars him from contact with children after his release, deeming it necessary for public safety.

O’Brien’s criminal activities were first uncovered in 2012, leading to his arrest at his Bosham residence. During his trial, many victims provided emotional testimonies, describing the profound impact of his abuse. The court sentenced him to a total of 33 years, with a portion to be served in prison and the remainder on license. His conviction included 15 counts of indecent assault and five counts of gross indecency, although some charges were later quashed on appeal due to legal technicalities involving the timing of the charges.

Throughout the legal proceedings, O’Brien maintained his innocence, dismissing the allegations as false. Nevertheless, the court’s verdict confirmed his guilt, and he was placed on the sex offenders register for life. His case underscores the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring justice to victims of sexual abuse, regardless of how much time has passed since the offenses occurred.