FORMER KENT HEAD TEACHER ROBIN MELLOR JAILED IN BRAUNTON FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN

In March 2019, Robin Mellor, a 74-year-old former headteacher now residing on North Street in Braunton, Devon, was sentenced to prison for multiple historic sex offences committed against children. Mellor had taught at various primary schools across west Kent, including in Ditton and Larkfield within the Tonbridge and Malling district.

He was convicted of sexually abusing two girls during the 1970s and 1980s. Mellor's abuse took place when his pupils visited his home in Ditton for private tutoring sessions. One girl, aged 11, was subjected to repeated assaults over a year-and-a-half, during which Mellor showed her pornographic images and forced her to imitate what was depicted.

Another girl was assaulted during a separate tutoring session at Mellor’s house, where he attempted to engage her in sexual activity and committed an indecent act in her presence.

Mellor was arrested in January of the previous year and faced charges including five counts of indecent assault on a child, inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency, and making indecent images of a child—20 illegal images were found on his seized computer.

Despite pleading not guilty and risking a trial at Maidstone Crown Court, Mellor was found guilty on all counts on Thursday, March 7. He was sentenced to six years in prison. Additionally, Mellor was issued a sexual harm prevention order and will be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely.