CHRISTOPHER DRAKE FROM ATHERTON AND SALFORD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING PUPILS

In April 2011, a disturbing case emerged involving Christopher Drake, a former physical education teacher from Atherton and Salford, who was convicted of engaging in inappropriate and illegal sexual activities with underage students. Drake, aged 29 at the time, earned notoriety among pupils and staff alike, not only for his misconduct but also for the nickname he and his students affectionately or perhaps mockingly used: the 'Salford Stallion.'

His misconduct came to light after a series of alarming incidents that revealed a pattern of predatory behavior. The court heard that Drake began his inappropriate relationships with two girls when they were just 14 years old. These relationships involved sexual encounters that took place in various locations, including his office at school, the sports hall, and even at the home of one of the girls' parents. The situation escalated to the point where one of the girls visited his residence on Valentine’s Day, only to discover him in bed with another girl, which ultimately led to his exposure.

One of the most shocking revelations was that Drake had been involved with both girls simultaneously, a fact that was uncovered when one of the girls visited his home and found him with the other. This discovery led to a confrontation and the girls informing their parents about the situation. The court was told that Drake had been engaging in sexual activities with these students since they were 14, and he had also slept with a 16-year-old girl he taught at Hesketh Fletcher Church of England High School in Atherton, Greater Manchester.

Investigations revealed that Drake used modern communication platforms such as Facebook and text messaging to arrange meetings with the girls. He also took explicit photographs and videos of himself with the students, instructing them on how to pose and encouraging them to send explicit images via Bluetooth. These actions demonstrated a calculated pattern of grooming and exploitation.

Judge Timothy Mort addressed Drake directly during sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of his breaches of trust. He stated, “The critical factor is the age gap. You were 12 years older than them. That is a considerable age gap. You were a young man, quite immature, but there was a classic breach of trust in having relationships with pupils which you knew you should not be doing.”

There were instances where Drake was caught in compromising situations on school premises, yet he was not immediately dismissed. On one occasion, a student performed a sex act on him in a hotel corridor during a school trip. Despite these incidents, his position within the school remained until his eventual arrest.

Valentine’s Day of the previous year marked a turning point when Drake’s misconduct was fully exposed. He had taken one of the girls, then aged 15, back to his flat, decorated it with rose petals, and arranged bondage equipment in the bedroom, indicating a carefully staged romantic setting. Meanwhile, the other girl, aged 16, had gone camping but decided to visit Drake after poor weather conditions. She arrived at his flat at 3:30 a.m. and found her classmate inside. The confrontation that ensued was intense; she accused Drake of ‘two-timing’ her, and in her distress, she attempted to call the police but was unable to get a signal.

During the altercation, Drake pulled out a knife and threatened to harm himself. He then covered her mouth and dragged her back inside the flat. Neighbors, alarmed by the commotion, dialed emergency services, leading to Drake’s arrest. The police found a scene filled with evidence of their illicit activities, including furry handcuffs, bondage ropes, an eye mask, condoms, and Viagra tablets.

Drake admitted to 25 criminal offences, including unlawful sexual activity with a child and taking indecent photographs. His background was notable; he was the son of a local Liberal Democrat councillor in Salford. His career, which had seen rapid advancement due to his rapport with pupils, was ultimately destroyed by his actions. He was sentenced to six years in prison, with three years each for the sexual offences involving the two girls, and the sentences were to run concurrently.

The court heard that despite receiving glowing references from his family and friends, Drake’s professional conduct had been severely compromised. Judge Mort emphasized that as a secondary school teacher, Drake was expected to serve as a role model and uphold trust, but instead, he exploited his position for personal gratification.

Details of the impact on his victims were also presented. The 16-year-old girl expressed feelings of being ‘cheated, dirty, worthless and an idiot,’ and shared how the incident had affected her relationships and social standing. The other girl reported feeling embarrassed and having difficulty trusting others. The third girl, who initially sought Drake’s guidance over a family issue, reflected on her naivety and the sense of betrayal she experienced.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Mort acknowledged the profound effect these events had on the victims, stating, “It is clear Drake’s victims now all have problems trusting people. One hopes with the passage of time that these girls will be able to move on with their lives but it has plainly had an effect.”

Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Bill McGreavy condemned Drake’s actions, highlighting the breach of trust and the damage inflicted on the young victims. He expressed hope that the victims and their families could begin to recover and move forward, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of Greater Manchester Police, the school, and local authorities in safeguarding children and addressing such misconduct.

Since his arrest, Drake has been held in custody, classified as a vulnerable sex offender. His mother, Lynn, a Liberal Democrat councillor in Salford, chose not to comment on the case last night, but the repercussions of his actions have left a lasting stain on his personal and professional life.