TEACHER WHO SEXUALLY ABUSED GIRL AND CAUSED PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL ADMISSION WALKS FREE
A FORMER teacher whose sexual activities may have contributed to his victim being placed in a psychiatric hospital has been released from court without imprisonment.Nigel Christopher Stanbridge, aged 63 and now retired from teaching, was accused of repeatedly abusing a girl over a four-year period during his time as a teacher.
The abuse began when the girl was only eight years old.
The prosecutor, Abigail Langford, stated that the girl, now an adult, had been diagnosed with two psychiatric conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, and when she was hospitalized in 2011, Stanbridge told her nurses he believed he may have played a role in her suffering.Despite staff informing police, the victim chose not to pursue charges at that time.
Nevertheless, Stanbridge subsequently disclosed his involvement to medical personnel, which led to his prosecution.
The court heard that Stanbridge attended court and pleaded guilty to six counts of indecency with a child.The judge, Paul Batty QC, sentenced Stanbridge to two years in prison, suspended for two years.
The judge remarked, "But for your disclosures there would not have been a case for you to answer." He also read a letter from the victim dated 2012, in which she expressed forgiveness but also asked that Stanbridge never work with children again.Stanbridge was registered as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.
Additionally, he was required to undertake a sex offender treatment program, comply with a nightly curfew, and participate in 30 days of rehabilitative activities.
The court noted that Stanbridge met the victim outside school, though she was not one of his pupils.
The defense highlighted that Stanbridge had himself been abused as a boy, which affected his actions.
Since his confession, Stanbridge was involved in separating from his wife and becoming estranged from his children.
He had taken early retirement as a result of his actions.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
ard that Stanbridge attended court and pleaded guilty to six counts of indecency with a child.The judge, Paul Batty QC, sentenced Stanbridge to two years in prison, suspended for two years. The judge remarked, "But for your disclosures t...
Prison sentence
two years
The court heard that Stanbridge attended court and pleaded guilty to six counts of indecency with a child.The judge, Paul Batty QC, sentenced Stanbridge to two years in prison, suspended for two years
Suspended sentence
two years
The court heard that Stanbridge attended court and pleaded guilty to six counts of indecency with a child.The judge, Paul Batty QC, sentenced Stanbridge to two years in prison, suspended for two years
Court order
ten years
The judge remarked, "But for your disclosures there would not have been a case for you to answer." He also read a letter from the victim dated 2012, in which she expressed forgiveness but also asked that Stanbridge never work with children again.Stanbridge was registered as a sex offender for ten years and was subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order
Community order
30 days
Additionally, he was required to undertake a sex offender treatment program, comply with a nightly curfew, and participate in 30 days of rehabilitative activities
