JULIUS EDWARDS, FORMER HAMPSHIRE TEACHER, JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST BOYS IN HAMPSHIRE

In June 2021, Julius Edwards, a 49-year-old former teacher from Farnborough, Hampshire, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences involving two teenage boys. Described as a "cynical and highly manipulative" individual, Edwards exploited the vulnerability of his victims, one of whom referred to him as a "puppet master."

Edwards, who resided on Queens Road in Farnborough, actively sought out teenage boys online, targeting those who appeared vulnerable. He encouraged them to exchange explicit sexual images and messages, then persuaded them to meet in person for sexual acts. His victims were aged 13 and 14 when these incidents occurred.

Although Edwards was a science teacher, he did not teach the victims at the time. He was employed at Dove House School in Basingstoke at the time of his arrest. Between March and April 2020, Edwards committed these sexual offences, which led to his conviction on 18 counts in April 2021. These charges included three counts of sexual activity with a boy under 16, nine counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a boy under 16, one count of sexual assault by penetration, three counts of attempting to engage in penetrative sexual activity with a boy under 16, and two counts of failure to comply with a notice to provide a key. Later, Edwards pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sexual communication with a child at an earlier hearing, increasing his total offences to 19.

The sentencing hearing at Kingston Crown Court on June 4 detailed how Edwards presented himself as "a caring adult," only to groom and sexually abuse his victims. Judge Peter Lodder noted that Edwards "exploited" the vulnerabilities of the second victim, encouraging him to discuss sex, exchange intimate images, and ultimately persuading him to meet. The judge recounted an incident from April 8 or 9, when Edwards picked up the boy in his car, took him to a wooded area north of Guildford, and engaged in sexual activity.

Edwards also claimed to have done similar acts with other boys, including the first victim. Evidence revealed that Edwards exchanged sexual messages and images with the first victim before taking him to a remote location for sexual encounters. A victim impact statement read aloud in court expressed profound distress, with the first victim stating, "I was a really happy child until he took that from me. I have felt a sadness ever since. I cry more now than ever before. Since it happened, every time I go outside I feel nervous and anxious. I can't trust anyone. I can't trust teachers at my school because I know he [Edwards] is a teacher." The statement also detailed how Edwards made the victim discuss his sex life with both him and his parents, causing embarrassment and upset.

The court heard that Edwards boasted about his encounters with another boy, known as 'Liam,' who was actually an undercover police officer posing as a 13-year-old. Edwards approached Liam online using the name 'don’t be shy' and continued in the same manner as with his other victims, repeatedly asking to meet.

Following his arrest on June 15, 2020, Edwards refused to provide PIN codes for his mobile devices when asked by police. While in custody awaiting trial, he also applied to change his name by deed poll in an attempt to conceal his identity, and later sought to alter his passport with the new name. The Passport Office became suspicious, and the attempt was flagged.

Judge Lodder commented on Edwards' attempts to hide his identity, stating, "Clearly this was an attempt to avoid the consequences of restrictions that would be imposed as a result of your offending. It is activity which is entirely consistent with the picture you present of a cynical and highly manipulative offender."

Ultimately, Edwards was sentenced to 14 years in prison with an extended license period of four years. A restraining order was issued to protect the victims, and he was also subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). Additionally, he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge.