STEPHEN SKELTON FROM FAREHAM AND LONDON SENTENCED FOR PAST SEXUAL ABUSE OF BOYS

In a case that has spanned decades, Stephen Skelton, a former educator with connections to Fareham and London, has been convicted of sexually abusing two young boys during his teaching career. The incidents, which occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, have brought to light a disturbing history of abuse linked to his roles at various schools.

Skelton, aged 63 at the time of sentencing, was found guilty of assaulting a 12-year-old boy in 1984 while employed at St Benedict's School in Ealing, West London. The assault took place during a period when the school was under scrutiny for its troubling legacy of sexual misconduct. The court heard that Skelton had lured the boy into his home under the guise of tutoring, where he committed the assault.

Further investigations revealed that Skelton had also abused another young boy, aged 10, at Well Hill Park School in Fareham, Hampshire, sometime in 1993 or 1994. Scotland Yard officials confirmed these details, emphasizing the geographical spread of Skelton's offending across different regions. The abuse at Fareham was similarly carried out during extracurricular sessions, specifically while Skelton was providing mathematics lessons in his own residence.

His sentencing, handed down by Isleworth Crown Court, resulted in a six-month jail term that was suspended for two years. This means Skelton will not serve time in prison unless he commits another offense within the suspension period. The court's decision reflects the serious nature of his crimes, which involved exploiting the trust placed in him as an educator.

The case came to light after the first victim, from Ealing, contacted authorities last year following media coverage of sexual abuse at St Benedict's School, which was operated by Ealing Abbey. During the investigation, police identified the second victim, who had kept silent about his ordeal for 16 years, revealing the long-lasting impact of Skelton's actions.

Detective Constable Christine Hobson of the Metropolitan Police's child abuse investigation team stated, “Skelton completely abused the trust of the victims’ families and sexually assaulted these boys whilst providing tutoring lessons in his own home.” She praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward and giving evidence, which ultimately led to justice being served many years after the abuse occurred.

Hobson also highlighted that Skelton had worked at multiple schools across Hampshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, and Hertfordshire, suggesting that his offending was not confined to a single location. She urged any other potential victims to come forward, emphasizing the importance of addressing past abuses and supporting survivors in seeking justice.