ANTHONY BARTLETT FROM ELLAND SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AT LOCAL SCHOOL

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Elland, Anthony Bartlett, aged 36, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl. Bartlett, who previously served as a caretaker at Elland Church of England Junior and Infant School located on Westgate in Elland, appeared before Bradford Crown Court to face the charges.

During the court proceedings, Bartlett confessed to committing three separate offences of indecent assault against the young girl. Following his admission, the court ordered that he be registered on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of five years. Additionally, he was prohibited from working with children in any capacity, a measure aimed at safeguarding other potential victims.

The revelation of Bartlett’s crimes has deeply unsettled the school community and raised serious questions about the vetting procedures in place when he was appointed to his role over four years ago. Concerns have been voiced regarding whether proper background checks were conducted at the time of his employment, given the severity of the allegations that later emerged.

Rev Martin Wood, who serves as the chairman of the governing staff committee and is also the team rector of Elland, expressed his sorrow over the incident. He stated, “This is a sad day. Our prayers are with those involved.” He further explained that once the allegations surfaced, the school responded swiftly by suspending Bartlett immediately and taking steps to ensure he was barred from the school premises to prevent any further contact with students.

Meanwhile, the Calderdale Education Authority has confirmed that they have been cooperating closely with law enforcement authorities since the allegations first came to light. Ms. Carol White, the group director of Schools and Children’s Services, emphasized the importance of child protection. She said, “The authority is very much concerned to ensure that it is of paramount importance that all children in schools are protected but when allegations of this sort are made, these are always taken very seriously.”

It has also been reported that Bartlett’s previous interactions with children had raised concerns among parents. There was an incident where a mother reported that Bartlett allegedly touched a girl’s breasts, which contributed to ongoing worries about his conduct.

A spokesperson for Calderdale Police commented on the case, stating, “The police and the family feel that the sentence is appropriate under the circumstances. The complainant and their family now want to get on with their lives and wish to remain free from intrusion during this difficult time.” The community continues to grapple with the implications of this case, which underscores the importance of vigilance and thorough background checks in safeguarding children from harm.