SIMON MOODY FROM MALVERN, REDDITCH, AND STUDLEY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND INDECENT IMAGES

In April 2011, a disturbing case involving a retired Worcestershire school headmaster, Simon Moody, came to light as he was sentenced to serve four and a half years in prison for serious sexual offenses against young girls. Moody, aged 71 and residing at New Road, Studley, Warwickshire, previously served as the headmaster of Ridgeway Infants School in Redditch. His recent residence was listed as Elgar Avenue, Malvern.

Moody pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of indecent assault and two counts of producing indecent images of children. The court heard that the abuse spanned over several years, with the earliest incident dating back to approximately 1998. During that year, a six-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by Moody at his home while her parents were in another room. Moody instructed her to keep the incident a secret, and although she understood that what had happened was wrong, she felt unable to disclose it until she confided in her boyfriend in November of the previous year. Her boyfriend then persuaded her to tell her mother, leading to police involvement.

Following the disclosure, authorities arrested Moody, who admitted to touching the girl and taking four indecent photographs of her. Police investigations uncovered additional evidence, including indecent images stored on Moody’s computer. Further inquiries revealed a prior investigation into Moody’s conduct towards an eight-year-old girl. This earlier case, which had been initially reported by her parents in 2002, involved allegations of repeated sexual abuse during the late 1980s when Moody was providing her with private mathematics tutoring. At that time, Moody denied the allegations, and no further action was taken. However, during subsequent questioning, he admitted to the misconduct.

Moody’s defense lawyer, Kevin Saunders, highlighted Moody’s previous good character and years of service to the community and his profession. Saunders argued that these factors, typically seen as mitigating, were overshadowed by the gravity of the current offenses. He expressed that Moody was deeply ashamed of his actions.

Mrs. Justice Dame Julia Macur delivered the sentence, emphasizing the seriousness of Moody’s crimes. She pointed out that in 2002, a young woman had made a complaint against Moody, which he denied, and due to his respected standing in the community, the case was not pursued further. The judge noted that Moody’s guilty plea, following the re-investigation of his past and recent offenses, demonstrated remorse.

She condemned Moody for abusing his position of trust and for the vulnerability of his young victims. The judge also highlighted the depraved nature of his actions, including the taking of indecent photographs, which were found on his computer. Mrs. Macur revealed that Moody had previously been involved in two other incidents where complaints had been made but not acted upon during his career.

As a result, Moody was sentenced to three years for the indecent assaults, with an additional 18 months to be served consecutively for the possession of indecent images. Furthermore, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and is subject to a sexual offences prevention order, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions.