VILE HEADTEACHER JAILED FOR DECADE-LONG CAMPAIGN OF ABUSE OF PUPILS
In 2022, Christopher Pickup received a ten-year prison sentence after being convicted on 37 counts of sexual assault involving 19 boys.Despite his conviction, the paedophile headteacher, who carried out a prolonged period of sexual abuse against students, continues to deny wrongdoing, a disciplinary tribunal was told.
Pickup, aged 79, was sentenced after being found guilty of abusing boys aged between eight and 11, during his tenure at two primary schools in Oldham during the 1970s and 1980s.
The Crown Court in Minshull Street revealed that Pickup engaged in systematic and calculated abuse spanning over 12 years.
He assaulted students in various settings, including classrooms, his office, and during school trips.
Prosecutor Daniel Calder described Pickup, who resides on Underwood Way in Shaw, as a teacher admired by colleagues and parents alike, which helped him abuse in plain sight for many years.
Mr Calder explained that Pickup would often invite children to come to his desk during lessons, positioning them in a way that obscured the view of others, and during these times, he would touch and fondle the boys’ genitals over their clothing.
Victims detailed the lasting impact of the abuse in emotional statements read in court, with some noting Pickup never expressed remorse and others describing feelings of numbness and despair following the trial.
Three years after his conviction, the Teaching Regulation Agency has imposed a lifetime ban on Pickup’s ability to work in education.
At a recent hearing, the tribunal panel was informed that Pickup, who was absent and unrepresented, maintained his innocence.
The agency's report characterized his misconduct as a severe breach of trust that caused enduring harm to pupils, noting the absence of any remorse or insight from him.
The panel, led by decision maker Sarah Buxcey, prohibited Pickup from teaching indefinitely with immediate effect.
