RON SMITH'S SHOCKING 27-YEAR TEACHING CAREER IN BIRMINGHAM, BRISTOL, AND EYNSHAM ENDS IN PRISON

In a disturbing case that has spanned decades, Ron Smith, a man with a dark history of abusing young boys, was finally brought to justice after a lengthy investigation that uncovered his continued involvement in teaching and coaching children despite his past convictions. Smith, aged 65, who once served as an Olympic gymnastics judge, had been allowed to work with schoolchildren across Birmingham, Bristol, and Eynsham for an astonishing 27 years after being found guilty of indecently assaulting schoolboys.

His criminal history dates back to 1969 when he was convicted of indecent assault against two 12-year-old boys, for which he was fined twenty pounds. Despite this conviction, Smith managed to secure employment in educational settings, having written a letter to the then Education Secretary, Edward Short, requesting permission to continue teaching. His request was granted, and he was allowed to resume his career, initially working at a school in Birmingham. However, following the court case, he was compelled to resign from that position.

Within months, Smith found employment teaching physics at Bartholomew School in Eynsham, Oxfordshire, where he remained until 1985. Later, he became the director of Fromeside Gymnastics Club near Bristol. Shockingly, the authorities overseeing these institutions were fully aware of his previous conviction but still permitted him to continue coaching young boys. This oversight allowed Smith to maintain his role as a mentor and coach for nearly three decades, during which he exploited his position to commit further acts of abuse.

It was only recently that the full extent of Smith’s misconduct was uncovered, thanks to the efforts of private investigator Phil Lewis, a retired police officer. Lewis, who previously worked with the Family and Child Protection Unit, expressed his outrage at how the authorities had failed to prevent Smith from continuing his predatory behavior. He recounted how police had interviewed one of Smith’s victims in 2004, but Smith denied all allegations. With no additional complainants, the police concluded their investigation, claiming it was not their responsibility to seek out other victims.

Disillusioned by this response, Lewis took it upon himself to investigate further. He was hired by the British Gymnastics Association to look into Smith’s past. Over the course of 18 months, Lewis meticulously tracked down former schoolmates and victims, gathering statements and evidence. His efforts led to the discovery of two additional complainants—one in the UK and another in Australia. This evidence prompted a third victim to come forward, ultimately leading to Smith’s prosecution.

During the trial, the court heard harrowing details of Smith’s abuse between 1982 and 1986. The victims, aged between 10 and 13 at the time, recounted how Smith took them on weekend trips, during which they camped and stayed in youth hostels or at his flat in Bath. The court was told that Smith provided alcohol and pornography to the boys, and on one occasion, he made a boy share his tent and, in a further incident, sexually assaulted him in his bed.

Smith’s residence since 1985 has been a detached stone cottage at Winterbourne Down, near Bristol. His criminal record includes five charges of indecent assault on a boy under 14 and one charge of indecency with a child under 16. He was acquitted of three additional charges of indecent assault involving boys under 14.

In court, Smith was sentenced to three years in prison at Oxford Crown Court. The judge’s verdict marked the end of a long and painful chapter for the victims and the community, highlighting the tragic failure of institutions to protect vulnerable children from a man who was allowed to continue his career despite his past. The case has raised serious questions about safeguarding procedures and the oversight of individuals with known histories of abuse.