Former Trafford teacher guilty of rape and sexual assault jailed for 15 years

A former Trafford teacher has been jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting pupils he taught in the Isle of Man.

Davoud Taghinejad, who taught maths for 10 years at North Trafford College before moving to the Isle of Man in 2009, was convicted of one rape and 10 sexual assaults.

The attacks were carried out on girls aged between 13 and 17 who he taught maths to privately at his home in Douglas.

The prosecution described how Taghinejad found excuses to touch pupils putting his hand inside their underwear, supposedly to test their heartbeat.

In one instance he raped a girl against his dining room table where the maths lesson was supposed to be taking place.

Another girl told how he taught her the names of different parts of the body in different languages and used it as an excuse to touch her.

He had denied all charges but the 58-year-old was found guilty after a two-week trial.

Taghinejad was sentenced to nine years and for the sexual assaults he received a further six years. His name is to be placed indefinitely on the Sex Offenders’ Register.

On his release his licence period will be extended by five years during which he will be subject to further restrictions.

He will also be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order restricting his contact with young people under 18.

Passing sentence, Deemster Alastair Montgomerie praised the victims for coming forward and the way in which they had conducted themselves during the trial.

He said: “It has taken a great deal of courage for the victims to come forward and give evidence. they were all young girls and they should be praised for the dignity with which they have conducted themselves during these proceedings.

“I hope as a result of these verdicts they are nearer to closure and I hope they will be able to move on with their lives.”

Taghinejad was a lecturer at the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education, a position he took up in September 2009.

In a statement, the Department of Education said: “Prior to his appointment, Mr Taghinejad was the subject of a police check, as is customary for those working in direct contact with young people in education. This was entirely satisfactory and gave no cause for concern.

“Mr Taghinejad’s offences did not occur at the college and there was no suggestion his conduct fell below required standards while at work. The department has terminated Mr Taghinejad’s employment.

“The department would like to thank the Isle of Man Constabulary for the support it has offered to the college.

Source: manchestereveningnews