NIGEL LEAT'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN WESTON-SUPER-MARE AND WORLE: SCHOOL ABUSE REVELATIONS

In March 2021, the disturbing case of Nigel Leat, a primary school teacher from Weston-super-Mare and Worle, came back into the spotlight as he was recalled to prison after breaching his license conditions. Leat, who has been widely described as a 'predatory paedophile,' was responsible for heinous acts of sexual abuse against pupils at Hillside First School, where he worked for over a decade.

Leat, now in his 60s and also known by the surname Russell, had previously been sentenced to an indefinite term in 2011 after admitting to a staggering 36 criminal offences. These included attempted rape of a child and multiple counts of sexual assault. His crimes involved filming himself abusing young girls during reading sessions and other private moments within the school premises. The victims ranged in age, with some as young as six years old.

Despite his lengthy incarceration, Leat was released from prison in November of the previous year. However, just a few months later, a source informed the PA news agency that he had been recalled to custody last week for violating the conditions of his license. The Parole Board, which had previously deemed him suitable for release, had made its decision based on evidence suggesting he was not an immediate threat to the community. Witnesses, including his probation officer, prison psychologist, and offender manager, had collectively recommended that his release was safe at that time.

Nevertheless, the victims and their families remain deeply unsettled. One of Leat’s victims expressed her dismay, stating, “The fact that he has been recalled after just four months of being out of prison speaks volumes to me. I was horrified at the fact he was released at the end of last year – and the Parole Board was made aware of all of our fears. Now it is evident they are completely justified.” She added that the ongoing trauma of his crimes continues to affect her daily life, describing his actions as almost calculated and feeling that he has not allowed her or other victims to move on.

A mother of another victim also voiced her concerns, emphasizing the emotional toll on her daughter. She said, “This whole saga has put a huge emotional strain on my daughter’s mental health. First the parole decision to release Leat – at a time that we did not feel was long enough for him to be rehabilitated, and now this. It really brings into question the decision by the Parole Board to release him when just a few months later it’s decided he poses a risk to the public.” She further expressed her frustration, questioning what could have prompted his return to prison, as it is not typical for someone to be recalled for minor infractions like going to buy flowers.

Leat’s criminal conduct was particularly heinous. He would identify ‘star pupils’ early on, showering them with gifts before engaging in sexual abuse during one-on-one reading sessions. His victims, some as young as six, were subjected to molestation while reading aloud, with Leat often filming these acts using a camera provided by the school. The footage, which included over 30,000 indecent photographs and more than 700 videos, was stored on numerous memory sticks labeled with the victims’ names. In the recordings, Leat could be heard calling the girls “sweetie pie” and “darling,” asking them how much they loved him.

Police investigations uncovered the extent of his depravity when officers raided his home. They found a vast collection of illicit material, including thousands of images and videos. The report revealed that the school had failed to protect its pupils over a period of 14 years, despite receiving at least 30 warnings about Leat’s inappropriate behaviour. These warnings were never properly investigated, and his misconduct was observed in various locations within the school, including the computer room, resource room, staff room, and even during lessons with other children present.

Leat’s misconduct was well known among staff, who attempted to prevent certain children from being placed in his classes. In 2004, a mother accused him of taking inappropriate photographs of her daughter with a mobile phone, but no action was taken. Four years later, multiple children reported that Leat had touched their legs and kissed one girl, causing her to become sick. Despite these reports, staff members who raised concerns were dismissed or silenced, with some being told not to ‘insinuate things.’

Further investigations revealed that Leat had secretly hidden a camera under his desk, which he used to record his victims. Many of these videos lasted up to ten minutes and included other children in the background. When police finally intervened in December 2010, Leat initially denied any wrongdoing but later confessed to 36 sexual offences, including rape, assault, and voyeurism.

A comprehensive review by the North Somerset Safeguarding Children Board concluded that the school’s failure to act on numerous warnings allowed Leat’s crimes to continue unchecked for years. Out of 30 documented incidents, only 11 were reported to the headmaster, and none were escalated to external authorities. The report criticized the school’s culture, which discouraged staff from voicing concerns, and led to the eventual sacking of the headmaster, Chris Hood.

Leat’s case highlights systemic failures within the school’s safeguarding practices, with inspectors noting that the school, which caters to children aged four to eight, was rated ‘good’ in inspections during the period of his abuse. Despite this, the reality was that many children suffered in silence, and the school’s internal culture prevented proper intervention. The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in protecting vulnerable children from predators like Nigel Leat.