MATTHEW INGRAM FROM BETHNAL GREEN JAILED FOR SEXUAL AFFAIR WITH TEENAGE STUDENT IN WORCESTER

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Matthew Ingram, a former teacher at RGS Worcester, has been sentenced to prison for engaging in a sexual relationship with a teenage pupil. The incident, which took place in Worcester, has highlighted serious concerns about the safety and trust placed in educational institutions.

Matthew Ingram, aged 25 and a graduate of Oxford University, appeared before Worcester Crown Court to face charges related to his inappropriate conduct with the student. He pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual activity involving the minor, acknowledging the misconduct that occurred during his tenure at the school.

Prosecutor Paul Whitfield detailed the progression of the inappropriate relationship, revealing that Ingram initially initiated contact by kissing the girl and subsequently touching her. The court heard that Ingram later persuaded the girl to touch him intimately, further crossing boundaries of trust and professionalism. The relationship reportedly began in the spring of 2014 and continued for approximately two months, during which staff members grew increasingly concerned about the girl’s behaviour.

Warnings were issued to Ingram regarding his friendship with the student, but despite these cautions, the exchanges between them persisted. The court was informed that the girl once expressed feeling 'intimidated' by Ingram, indicating the emotional and psychological impact of his actions. The misconduct included instances of kissing and fondling in a classroom when they were alone, raising serious questions about the safety protocols within the school environment.

During the proceedings, Abigail Husbands, representing Ingram, stated that he had taken steps to delete photographs of the girl and clarified that he had not invited her to his flat in the city. The primary reason for the case being brought before the court was the breach of trust inherent in the teacher-student relationship, which is supposed to be a safe and nurturing environment for minors.

At the time of the incident, Ingram was working as a post-graduate chemistry teacher at RGS Worcester, located in the Tything area. Since then, he has relocated to London, where he resides on Roman Road in Bethnal Green. He has since left the teaching profession and is now employed by a start-up computer company in London. Ingram expressed significant embarrassment over the case, acknowledging that it tarnished his reputation and character.

Judge Michael Cullum, who presided over the case, took into account Ingram’s early guilty plea, which led to a reduction in his sentence from the original 15 months to 10 months in prison. The judge also ordered Ingram to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, emphasizing the gravity of the abuse of trust involved. The court underscored that schools are meant to be safe havens for children, and any breach of that safety is a serious matter.

The judge highlighted that Ingram was aware the girl did not want any sexual advances and had made her feelings clear when she wished to stop. Despite this, Ingram continued his inappropriate activities within the school premises, mistakenly believing he was protected by his position. The court noted that he ignored multiple warnings that his conduct was wrong. However, the judge decided against issuing a sexual harm prevention order, believing it was unnecessary in this case, but stressed the importance of accountability and safeguarding in educational settings.