Teacher jailed after sex attack on Sussex schoolgirl

By Anna Roberts

A teacher has been jailed for 18 months after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl.

Nicholas Esteve was a teacher at East Sussex County Council-run Hailsham Community College when he assaulted the girl, who was not a pupil at the school.

teacher verification

The 36-year-old, of Rotunda Road, Eastbourne, was caught after the mother of his victim contacted police because she was concerned about Esteve’s behaviour.

He was questioned by specialist child protection officers before being charged with sexual assault and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.

Esteve appeared at Lewes Crown Court where he was convicted of both charges and jailed.

The crimes happened in Eastbourne in April last year.

Esteve was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years on his release and was served with an indefinite Sex Offender Prevention Order (SOPO).

Ban from working with children

The court order bans him from contacting the victim or any person under 16 without the agreement of a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult, who has been informed of his offending history, except for inadvertent unavoidable passing contact in public.

Esteve is also banned from trying to work with any organisation that might have under 16s involved.

Detective Constable Amy Green said: “We always encourage parents, and children, to come to us with concerns about inappropriate behaviour, and we are glad that this mother did so.

“Her daughter also showed great courage in facing up to the ordeal of giving evidence in court.”

A spokesman for East Sussex County Council said Esteve was suspended when the victim contacted police and was sacked after an investigation.

He said: “As soon as these allegations came to light both the college and the county council acted swiftly.

“It should be made clear that the charges he faced were not in any way connected with his work at Hailsham Community College or any pupils from the college.”

Source : theargus