SUSSEX SCHOOL TECHNICIAN NATASHA SMITH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE
A woman has spoken of the devastating impact being sexually abused by a school technician has had on her life.The woman, who has the right to lifetime anonymity, had just turned 17 and completed her GCSEs at Angmering High School when technician Natasha Smith committed the offence.At Hove Crown Court, Smith, who is also a former police officer, pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a girl while an adult in a position of trust.The 35-year-old, of North Street, Littlehampton, denied three further offences which were ordered to lie on file.Smith went on to teach at Durrington High School after the abuse, where she was suspended once the offences were reported to the police in 2021.In a victim impact statement read out in court, the woman, now in her twenties, described being “closeted, insecure, and deeply vulnerable” and that Smith exploited this.The woman stated that the offence cost her her dreams and many opportunities due to lasting trauma, including struggles with anxiety, depression, and self-shame, and even a suicide attempt.She expressed her feelings of betrayal, saying, “It’s hard to explain what it does to you when someone who had all the power, age, authority, experience, chooses not to protect or guide you, but to exploit your vulnerability for their own gain.”She shared that her first experience of love and trust came from Smith, which left her confused about healthy relationships and her self-worth.She described her subsequent struggles and how much of her twenties were spent trying to undo the damage.Despite everything, she found happiness with her wife and emphasized that Smith has not defeated her, stating: “I knew the moment I met her, that love feels completely different.
She’s shown me what care looks like when it isn’t laced with control or fear.
She is nothing like you.”The court sentenced Smith to an 18-month community order, requiring her to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and participate in 20 days of rehabilitation activities.
She was also ordered to pay £900 in compensation and is required to register as a sex offender for five years.
