March 2006 TWISTED TEACHER A TWISTED teacher described by a judge as “a master” in seeking out his victims was jailed for four years on Friday, March 17 after admitting sex offences with young boys. Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Christopher Bagley, 60, had used gifts and money to befriend youngsters in Bournemouth and Poole parks last summer. The father of two from Higher Shaftesbury Road, Blandford, admitted sexually assaulting an 11-year-old boy, four counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a 10-year-old boy and exposure. Prosecuting, David Reid said Bagley, a former head of computing and maths teacher at Poole Grammar School, had preyed on young boys playing on Kinson Common and Upton recreation area. “He is an intelligent man with a clear sexual interest in children, preferring to incite them, often by pretending to be drunk or asleep.” Mr Reid added that Bagley had given five boys £10 each “to keep them quiet. He bought some cigarettes and, on one occasion, threatened them saying if they told anyone they would get into bad trouble.” Bagley admitted his guilt after 10 children picked him out during an identification procedure. Defending, David Campbell said: “Mr Bagley knows he needs help. He is an educated and responsible man. Now he has to come to terms with the problems he faces. The court heard how Bagley has two previous convictions for indecent exposure in 1997 and 1998 after standing naked at the window of his home while children played outside. He was cleared in May 1999 of molesting a young pupil he had befriended in his classroom. Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Bagley had admitted a previous sexual relationship with another pupil and been given an informal warning by police after the youth refused to press charges. Sentencing Bagley, Judge John Beashel told him: “I impose imprisonment for public protection. It is clear you present a high risk to children, especially young boys. “Because you were a teacher for very many years you are skilled in engaging children and obtaining their trust and confidence. “You go to great lengths to seek them out so they will approach you – that is your grand design. You are, in short, a master in seeking out your victims. Your offences are predatory. You visited local parks and then purchased gifts for them. One wonders what might have happened had you not been apprehended.” Bagley, who retired in 1996, will be eligible for parole after two years. He was banned from working with children again and will be on the sex offenders’ register for life. Judge Beashel imposed a sexual offences prevention order banning Bagley from ever having contact with under-16s, going within 100 metres of a play area, giving children gifts or payments or providing transport for them. DS Lance Cliff said after the hearing: “Mr Bagley will be very closely monitored when he comes out of prison. “These very strict measures will restrict his access to children.”