STUART MCCULLOCH, FORMER PREP SCHOOL TEACHER FROM WALTHAMSTOW, SENTENCED IN LONDON FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES

In June 2014, Stuart McCulloch, a 57-year-old former prep school teacher from Walthamstow, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting to over a dozen sexual offences.

McCulloch, who previously taught at Snaresbrook Preparatory School on Woodford Road from 2000 until earlier this year, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including sexually assaulting a boy aged 11 to 14 between February 2000 and February 2004, as well as sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl. It was confirmed that none of the offences involved pupils from the school.

The criminal revelations emerged in February 2014, after the young girl disclosed her abuse to her parents, prompting police to investigate. Shortly after being charged on February 15, McCulloch fled to Eastbourne in East Sussex, triggering a missing person search.

On March 14, McCulloch was located by police in a public library in Eastbourne, where he admitted to the allegations in full following the discovery of child abuse images on his iPad.

In addition to the primary charges, Judge Owen sentenced McCulloch to six months for possession of indecent images and another six months for failing to appear at court when at large earlier that year. It was noted that McCulloch, who is also a former police officer, was convicted of multiple offences; on May 12, he pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault, six counts of indecency with a child, one count of sexual assault on a child under 13, and two counts of possessing indecent images of a child.

In a statement, Snaresbrook Prep School’s headteacher Christopher Curl clarified: "The school is aware that Stuart McCulloch, a former teacher at Snaresbrook Prep School, is shortly to be sentenced in relation to charges of gross indecency and indecent assault. It is important to note that the police have confirmed there is no investigation involving the school, its staff, or pupils. There are no allegations or charges relating to McCulloch’s role as a teacher at the school. Neither the school nor its staff were aware of any issues until police involvement led to his arrest. The school confirms that all proper checks were conducted at the time of his appointment."

Following his release, McCulloch will be subject to strict monitoring of his internet activity, is prohibited from sharing accommodation with children under 16, and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.