RUSSELL TILLSON, EX-TEACHER FROM DYMCHURCH, JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AT TONBRIDGE SCHOOL

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Russell Tillson, a former secondary school teacher from Dymchurch, has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing two pupils under his care. The allegations against Tillson, which spanned several decades, first came to light during an investigation that uncovered disturbing evidence of misconduct dating back to the 1980s.

These allegations were initially reported to Kent Police in 2018, prompting a thorough investigation into Tillson’s conduct during his tenure at Tonbridge School. Over the course of the investigation, authorities gathered compelling evidence that Tillson had committed offences over a period of nearly 20 years. These offences were not confined to the classroom but also took place within a private residence that he maintained at the school, raising serious concerns about the safety and well-being of the students under his supervision.

As a senior figure at the school, Tillson held considerable influence over his pupils’ academic and future prospects. This position of authority was exploited as a means to make unwelcome advances. One particularly troubling incident involved a boy being offered an enhanced university reference, which Tillson suggested could be secured through “unconventional methods,” implying inappropriate conduct.

In October 2020, Tillson was arrested by police. During police interviews, he vehemently denied all allegations, dismissing them as “fiction.” He faced multiple charges, initially five counts of indecent assault, to which he pleaded not guilty. As the case progressed, an additional count of the same offence was added to the charges against him.

At the age of 73, residing on Ship Close in Dymchurch, Tillson faced trial at Maidstone Crown Court. The jury deliberated and ultimately found him guilty on four counts of indecent assault. However, they returned not guilty verdicts on two other charges, indicating that the evidence was insufficient to prove those allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

On Friday, September 1, 2023, Judge handed down a sentence of five years and eight months in prison to Tillson. Additionally, he was subjected to a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his contact with potential victims and prevent further offences. The sentencing marks a significant moment in the ongoing effort to address and combat abuse within educational institutions, and it underscores the importance of safeguarding vulnerable students from exploitation by those in positions of authority.