PETER AVERY SENTENCED IN BESSACARR AND EDINGTON SEX OFFENCE CASE

In April 2012, a former educator from Sheffield faced the consequences of his involvement in a disturbing online sex offence involving a minor. Peter Avery, who previously served as the assistant head at City School in Stradbroke, was found guilty of engaging in illicit activities on the internet that targeted a young girl.

According to court records, Avery, aged 56 and residing on Muirfield Avenue in Bessacarr, Doncaster, used online platforms to impersonate a young boy. His goal was to persuade a 13-year-old girl to expose herself to him, an act that constitutes a serious breach of trust and legal boundaries. The incident came to light after Avery’s arrest at his home address, which followed an investigation into his online activities.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court, Avery pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including inciting a minor into sexual activity and possessing indecent images of children. The court sentenced him to two years in prison, emphasizing the severity of his actions. Additionally, Avery was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of two years and was explicitly banned from working with children in any capacity in the future.

Prior to his arrest, Avery had been employed as an art teacher at Sir Thomas Wharton Community College in Edlington, Doncaster. However, following the incident, the school’s headteacher, Mary McCorry, confirmed that Avery was suspended immediately in May of the previous year and was subsequently dismissed after an internal investigation. She clarified that Avery no longer held any position at the school.

Officials from the Doncaster Education Authority reassured the public that the incident did not involve any pupils from Sir Thomas Wharton Community College. Furthermore, John Coward, the Doncaster divisional secretary for the National Union of Teachers, emphasized that strict procedures are in place to ensure student safety. He stated, “The victim was not from the school where he was teaching,” highlighting that the breach was isolated and did not compromise the safety of the school community.

Overall, the case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by educational institutions and authorities in safeguarding children from online predators and ensuring that offenders are held accountable for their actions.