HEANOR TEACHER RUSSELL SINGLETON CAUGHT IN SHOCKING SECRET FILMING SCANDAL AT DERBYSHIRE SCHOOL

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Heanor and the wider Derbyshire area, Russell Singleton, a former teacher with an extensive career spanning over three decades, has been found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offences involving the covert filming of girls and women. The allegations reveal a meticulously planned operation that lasted nearly ten years, during which Singleton used a hidden camera system to record unsuspecting victims in his own home, located in Heanor.

According to court proceedings, Singleton, aged 57 at the time of sentencing, had secretly constructed a concealed den behind a false wall within his airing cupboard. This hidden space was specifically designed to serve as a voyeuristic hideout, allowing him to observe and record individuals using the bathroom of his detached residence. The setup included a two-way mirror and a sophisticated camera system, which was remotely operated and discreetly placed on a shelf, with a clear view of the shower and toilet areas. The camera was connected to a remote sensor, enabling Singleton to activate it without being present in the room.

The court heard that Singleton’s wife was completely unaware of the elaborate surveillance system he had installed. The teacher, who was highly regarded and trusted within the school community, often hosted students for rehearsals and post-performance gatherings at his home. During these visits, Singleton would offer girls soft drinks, a tactic that encouraged them to visit the bathroom more frequently, unwittingly providing him with opportunities to record them.

Investigations revealed that Singleton had amassed a collection of 24 videos featuring nine different females, some of whom were pupils at the school, while others were ex-students or even a fellow teacher. Police also discovered approximately 366 similar images stored on his mobile phone, indicating a long-standing pattern of voyeuristic behavior. The victims ranged in age from 13 to 24 years old, with the offences spanning from 2003 to 2012.

One particularly distressing recording involved a 13-year-old girl in Singleton’s bathroom, where the audio captured him breathing heavily, highlighting the invasive nature of his actions. The case came to light after a teenage student confided in a teacher about her relationship with Singleton, which led authorities to search his residence last year. The police found the concealed space and the camera system, confirming the allegations of premeditated voyeurism.

During police interviews, Singleton admitted to having a voyeuristic interest and confessed to filming pupils for his own sexual gratification. He maintained that the victims were unaware of the recordings, claiming they were 'victimless.' However, the evidence and the nature of the recordings painted a far more disturbing picture. Singleton faced multiple charges, including nine counts of taking indecent photographs of children, two counts of making such photographs, and three counts of voyeurism. Additional charges involved sexual activity with a pupil aged 16 and 17, as well as other offences involving adults aged 18 to 24.

His legal team argued that Singleton’s actions were not deliberate in terms of constructing a secret department, suggesting that a plumber had recommended the partition wall to hide plumbing pipes, which inadvertently created the hidden space. Nevertheless, the court found the offences to be carefully planned and highly serious, given their duration and repetitive nature.

At the time of the offences, Singleton was serving as assistant headteacher and head of the arts and drama department at Alfreton Grange Arts College, formerly known as Mortimer Wilson Secondary School. The school expressed its shock and dismay at the revelations, emphasizing its commitment to pupil safety and cooperation with police investigations. The school confirmed that Singleton had been dismissed following the discovery of his misconduct.

Prosecutor Avik Mukherjee described the victims as feeling 'disgusted, confused, violated, and betrayed,' with one teenage girl suffering such trauma that she attempted to take her own life. Judge Michael Stokes QC sentenced Singleton to 38 months in prison, highlighting the gravity of his actions and the breach of trust involved. The judge remarked on the disturbing fact that Singleton would see the victims in school the very next day, which further contaminated the environment and underscored the severity of his betrayal.

In summary, this case underscores the dangers of abuse of trust and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding young people from exploitation. The community of Heanor and Derbyshire at large will undoubtedly be grappling with the implications of this disturbing revelation for some time to come.