West Sussex teacher avoids jail after child abuse and indecent images investigation

A teacher at a boarding school in West Sussex who engaged in sexual misconduct and possessed images of children being sexually abused has been spared jail. Nick Baldock, affiliated with Lancing College near Worthing, was involved in inappropriate conduct towards a student during an event in July 2022, where he touched the student's bottom. Further investigations revealed Baldock's involvement in sharing details of students in a group chat with other men interested in children. He also possessed indecent images of children not from the school and shared non-indecent images of students while making sexual comments. Baldock was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, along with an eight-year harm prevention order. Previously, he pleaded guilty to multiple charges including sexual assault, publishing obscene articles, disclosing personal data without consent, and making indecent images of children. During the hearing, the court was told Baldock expressed remorse and was undergoing counselling. The judge highlighted the contradiction between Baldock's religious Faith and his actions, noting the deep harm caused by his viewing of child abuse images.