Royal School Teacher Sentenced to Four Years for Child Sex Offences
A teacher at a prestigious private primary school with a history of educating young royals has been jailed for four years after being convicted of child sex offences involving girls as young as 10 years old. Richard Wilson, 44, a married father-of-one, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court yesterday for grooming multiple children through social media platforms.
Fake Profiles and Persistent Grooming
The court heard that Wilson created fake profiles on TikTok and initiated contact with seven different children aged between 10 and 15. He used the false name "Harry" and pretended to be a teenage boy living locally to his victims. Prosecutor Jonathan Sank described Wilson's contact with a 12-year-old victim as "determined and persistent," occurring over an extended period of two and a half months from July to October 2023.
Wilson asked the children inappropriate questions including "are you horny?" and used emojis and kisses in his messages. When the 12-year-old victim told him she was 15, he claimed to be the same age to encourage her engagement. The conversation quickly became sexualised after moving to WhatsApp, where Wilson asked what the girl was wearing and suggested they mutually engage in sexual acts.
Explicit Content and Victim Impact
The prosecutor revealed that Wilson sent a photograph of his genitalia to the 12-year-old victim and encouraged her to take a picture of her breast and perform a sex act on herself. The victim, who cannot be named to protect her anonymity, complied with his requests and sent a video of herself performing the act.
Judge Jane Rowley noted that the victim now experiences "fear and significant embarrassment" over the incident and has required support and counselling. The girl expressed concern "that her life will be a mess" as a result of Wilson's actions. Her parents discovered the messages, blocked Wilson's number, and reported the matter to police.
School Connection and Immediate Action
Wilson worked as a primary school teacher at St George's School Windsor Castle, an institution with heritage dating back to 1348 that teaches children aged three to 13. The school has educated young royals including Princess Eugenie and Lady Louise Windsor, along with rising musicians.
The offences did not relate to any behaviour at the school or within its community. As soon as the school was notified of Wilson's crimes, he was immediately suspended from his role and permanently left the school's employment in December 2024.
A spokesperson for St George's School Windsor Castle stated: "This is a deeply shocking crime. As soon as we were made aware of the police investigation, the school immediately suspended Wilson, ensured he had no further contact with students or access to the school site, and followed all safeguarding procedures in full. Our priority now is supporting the wellbeing of our students, families and staff."
Investigation Reveals Multiple Victims
Wilson was arrested on February 7, 2024, and gave a no comment interview during police questioning. When his phone was downloaded, investigators discovered he had been speaking to six other victims, all within the 48 hours prior to his arrest. Because Wilson had disappearing messages switched on, prosecutor Sank argued there may have been earlier communications that were no longer accessible.
Judge Rowley remarked: "The reality is this may be only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the behaviour." Wilson eventually admitted seven counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child and one count of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
Defence Arguments and Judicial Response
Defence barrister Andrew Rose described Wilson as a "well-liked and well-respected member of the faculty" who had taken on significant roles within the school regarding fundraising for local charities like Thames Hospice. Rose noted that Wilson had lost "a career he carefully cultivated for the last 18 years" and had voluntarily signed up to courses to address his behaviour, which stemmed from his own experience of being abused as a child.
Judge Rowley dismissed suggestions that Wilson's anxiety could explain his offending, stating: "A lot of people suffer from anxiety, they do not go on to commit sexual offences against children." She emphasized that Wilson had a duty "to protect the very children you abused" and showed "cognitive dissonance regarding your offending and the choice of profession."
The judge added: "Working as a primary school teacher involves insight into the primacy of protecting children as a professional. That background makes your offending alarming. You are a person with additional training and responsibility of safeguarding and child protection. You possess the intelligence, insight and understanding to appreciate the true impact of your offending on your young victims."
Sentencing and Restrictions
Wilson, of Westborough Road in Maidenhead, was sentenced to four years imprisonment. He was made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and ordered to sign the sex offenders register. The case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the breach of trust when those in positions of authority exploit their understanding of child protection to commit offences against vulnerable young people.
