CRAIG BEEDEN FROM NORWICH INVOLVED IN INDECENT ACT AT CAMBRIDGESHIRE SCHOOL
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Craig Beeden, a 22-year-old individual from Norwich, was found guilty of engaging in a gross indecency with a 14-year-old girl while working at a village college in Cambridgeshire.The incident occurred on December 13 of the previous year, during which Beeden was in his office when the young girl, a student at the same school, entered and was subjected to inappropriate conduct.
Following his admission of guilt, Beeden was sentenced by Cambridge Crown Court to a three-year supervision order.
As part of the court's ruling, he is explicitly prohibited from making any contact with the girl involved in the case.
The court proceedings revealed that Beeden had previously pleaded guilty to two charges related to participating in sexual activity with a minor, highlighting the severity of his actions.
Details of the case indicated that Beeden, who resided on Topcliffe Avenue in Norwich, had been a student at De Montfort University in Leicester, which is part of the University of Bedfordshire.
He had secured a placement at the secondary school as part of his university course.
Over time, he developed a close relationship with the girl, exchanging messages via Facebook and phone calls, which eventually led to the inappropriate encounter.
The victim’s father discovered an explicit message from Beeden on his daughter’s phone, which prompted his immediate action and subsequent arrest of the teacher.
During the court hearing, prosecutor Sally Hickling stated, “They met between lessons in his office and would kiss.
They were careful not to be caught.
Her dad said he saw some of her Facebook emails where Craig said he was deliberately choosing her in school because she was his favourite.” Defense attorney Sally Hobson argued that Beeden was an attractive man and that some students might have been attracted to him, but emphasized that he did not seek guidance from mentors on how to handle such situations.
She suggested that his actions were not driven by manipulative intent but were a result of a personal relationship.
Judge Gareth Hawkesworth summarized the case, emphasizing that the relationship was not a product of manipulation but rather a mutual affection that developed in an inappropriate context.
The judge clarified that no blame should be attributed to the girl, stating, “This did not come about because of manipulative seduction which came about because you were a teacher.
This was really a relationship forged in an atmosphere of mutual affection but I want to make it equally clear that not one shred of blame lies on her shoulder.” As part of his sentence, Beeden is barred from entering the girl’s village or working with individuals under the age of 16 for the next five years.
He is also required to attend a 200-hour sex offenders’ program, inform police of any change of address for the next decade, and has been registered on the sex offenders’ register.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire County Council commented, “In this case we feel that the courts have taken appropriate action.
Craig Beeden was working full time at the college for less than three weeks.
He joined the staff with excellent references and a clear CRB check from the University of Bedfordshire.
As soon as the allegations were made he was suspended from duty and has not been at the college since.”
