FLEETWOOD ACTING TEACHER JOSEPH KERR GROPES TEEN GIRLS AND WALKS FREE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Fleetwood, Lancashire, Joseph Kerr, a 51-year-old acting instructor with a history of appearing in television series such as Emmerdale and A Touch Of Frost, was recently involved in a series of inappropriate and criminal acts involving two teenage girls. Kerr operated an acting school in Fleetwood, which he managed alongside his wife, where the incidents took place.

According to court reports, Kerr manipulated a Shakespeare monologue during a lesson in a manner that allowed him to make one of his students, a 17-year-old girl, bend over. During this inappropriate act, he also slapped her on the bottom, an act that was both unprofessional and deeply troubling. Kerr's misconduct did not stop there; he also engaged in indecent touching of the same girl and made a disturbing comment, telling her, “I think what you need is to sleep with me,” which added a layer of sexual coercion to his actions.

The second victim, a 15-year-old girl, was subjected to a groping incident during what was described as an end-of-rehearsal “hug.” This act of physical assault was part of Kerr’s pattern of inappropriate behavior towards minors, raising serious concerns about his conduct and the safety of students at his acting school.

Joseph Kerr, who resides in Fleetwood, Lancashire, faced charges of sexual activity with a child and sexual assault. He had previously denied these allegations, but the court found him guilty during an earlier trial. The case was heard at Burnley Crown Court, where the seriousness of his actions was acknowledged.

During the sentencing, Barrister Richard Blomfield emphasized the gravity of Kerr’s misconduct, stating, “It’s inevitable he will never be able to teach again.” Kerr was handed a suspended sentence of three months in jail, a punishment that reflects the court’s recognition of the severity of his crimes. Additionally, Kerr was prohibited from providing individual tuition to anyone under the age of 18 for a period of five years, aiming to prevent any further abuse or misconduct involving minors.

This case has raised significant concerns about safeguarding in extracurricular activities and the importance of vigilance when it comes to protecting vulnerable young people from exploitation and abuse by those in positions of authority.