BISHOP AUCKLAND TEACHER STEPHEN ELLIOTT JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE
A disgraced teacher, Stephen Elliott, has been sentenced to 13 months in prison for sexually abusing a male teenager who attended an activity group.The court heard that Elliott's abuse involved plying the victim with alcohol during card nights at his home, where other group members were expected to remove items of clothing as a forfeit for losing hands.
After the card games, Elliott led the victim to his bedroom, where he removed the bed quilt and committed sexual offences.
Prosecutor Christine Egerton stated that after the first incident, the victim deliberately went to bed fully clothed, but Elliott took advantage of his inebriation by stripping him naked and carrying out another sexual assault.
Elliott allegedly told the victim that 'it was fun to get naked' and claimed there was 'trust and loyalty' to prevent him from reporting the incidents.
The court also heard that Elliott's behavior continued after the victim turned 18, although no charges related to those later occurrences.
Eventually, the victim confided in Elliott he no longer wanted to be touched, but he didn't report the abuse for several years despite being troubled by it.
Elliott denied all allegations during police interviews, claiming there was no sexual contact and that he was attracted to males and bisexual.
Elliott, aged 53, from Boddy Street, Bishop Auckland, had no previous criminal record but admitted to two counts of sexual activity with a boy in breach of trust just before his trial.
Judge Ray Singh sentenced him to 13 months in prison, and Elliott was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and registered as a sex offender for ten years.
The judge commented that Elliott took advantage of the victim's trust, with indications of grooming, and noted that Elliott showed little remorse, given late admissions.
