GEORGE OBORN SHOCKS CRANBROOK WITH SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST PUPILS DECADES AGO
| Red Rose Database
Cranbrook Sexual Abuser
In December 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving Geoffrey Oborn, a 79-year-old former teacher and home tutor from Cranbrook, who was convicted of multiple sexual offences committed nearly four decades earlier. The court heard harrowing details of his abuse against three young victims, which spanned from the early 1980s to recent years, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that has left deep scars.
Oborn, who previously taught at Dulwich College Preparatory School and Homewood School in Tenterden, Kent, was found guilty of 13 counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child. His own legal representatives acknowledged that he now faces the prospect of dying behind bars, with Ian Henderson QC, his defense lawyer, stating that the sentence would significantly impact his wife, who is 81, housebound, and suffering from dementia. Despite this, Judge Philip Statman emphasized that the consequences for the victims were equally tragic, describing the case as an 'absolute tragedy' for all involved.
The court was presented with disturbing evidence of Oborn’s misconduct. During the trial, it was revealed that he had gyrated his pelvis against one young person and simulated sexual acts with another while she sat on his lap during a home lesson. One victim, a boy, was molested multiple times inside a stationery cupboard at Homewood Secondary School in Tenterden, Kent, in the early 1980s. The victim, now in his 40s, took the initiative to contact Oborn years later, under the guise of organizing a school reunion, before ultimately reporting him to the police.
He recounted to Maidstone Crown Court how he had searched for Oborn online, using Google, to find out if he was still alive. The victim explained, “I didn’t know if Mr Oborn was alive or dead and it kept playing on my mind that if he was still alive, would he be doing what he did to me to other people.” He further detailed how he called Oborn’s home, pretending to organize a reunion, and spoke with his wife, who confirmed Oborn’s residence and that he was out playing golf. It was during this conversation that the victim learned Oborn was the same person who had taught at Homewood School in the early 1980s.
The case took a further turn when a church sermon about forgiveness prompted the victim to report the abuse officially. Oborn was arrested in November 2014, and subsequent allegations from two other victims led to two more arrests in January and April of the following year. These victims, both women, had been home tutored by Oborn. One recounted how he made her sit on his lap while he simulated sex, and the other described how he touched her breasts under her clothes and put his hand down her knickers. One victim also remembered Oborn pressing himself against her, leaving her feeling confused and overwhelmed.
Oborn denied all allegations, dismissing one victim as “a bit of an embarrassment” who always sat too close, with her knee touching his. However, the prosecution argued that the similarities in the accounts—particularly the pattern of pressing into victims from behind—were clear evidence of their truthfulness. The jury took less than three hours to convict him of all charges after a trial in October.
During sentencing, Judge Statman highlighted the profound impact of Oborn’s actions on his victims. He condemned Oborn for exploiting their vulnerability for his own sexual gratification and abusing them in what should have been safe environments, including their own homes. The judge noted that Oborn, who resides on Wheatfield Drive in Cranbrook, had lived a double life—being a respected teacher entrusted with children’s education while secretly engaging in heinous acts.
Oborn showed no visible emotion as he was sentenced to seven years in prison. Prosecutor Paul Valder detailed the horrific abuse, including molestation in a classroom stationery cupboard, where Oborn pushed his groin into a boy’s back, gyrated against him, touched his genitals over clothing, and even put his hand down the boy’s trousers to fondle him. The same boy was also made to touch Oborn’s genitals.
Further allegations emerged when two women, both former pupils, came forward in 2016, recounting how Oborn had made them sit on his lap while he simulated sex and touched their breasts under their clothes. One of these victims described how Oborn pressed himself against her, leaving her confused and unsure of what was happening. Despite denying these accusations, Oborn’s pattern of behavior was evident, and the consistency of the victims’ accounts was deemed credible by the court.
Judge Statman also criticized the police for their initial investigation in the early 1980s, describing it as “terse,” and acknowledged that modern procedures now provide better support for victims. He emphasized that the subsequent full inquiry, conducted many years later, was appropriate and thorough. The judge remarked that society has since come to terms with such grave crimes, leading to harsher sentencing for offenders.
Addressing the victims and their families directly, Judge Statman reassured them that they are not to blame and that justice has been served after many years of suffering. He highlighted the importance of the legal system’s evolving approach to sexual offenses, which now recognizes the difficulties victims face in coming forward.
Upon release, Oborn will be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely, be subject to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order, and be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults. His case serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting damage caused by sexual abuse and the importance of justice for victims, regardless of the offender’s age or status.
Oborn, who previously taught at Dulwich College Preparatory School and Homewood School in Tenterden, Kent, was found guilty of 13 counts of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child. His own legal representatives acknowledged that he now faces the prospect of dying behind bars, with Ian Henderson QC, his defense lawyer, stating that the sentence would significantly impact his wife, who is 81, housebound, and suffering from dementia. Despite this, Judge Philip Statman emphasized that the consequences for the victims were equally tragic, describing the case as an 'absolute tragedy' for all involved.
The court was presented with disturbing evidence of Oborn’s misconduct. During the trial, it was revealed that he had gyrated his pelvis against one young person and simulated sexual acts with another while she sat on his lap during a home lesson. One victim, a boy, was molested multiple times inside a stationery cupboard at Homewood Secondary School in Tenterden, Kent, in the early 1980s. The victim, now in his 40s, took the initiative to contact Oborn years later, under the guise of organizing a school reunion, before ultimately reporting him to the police.
He recounted to Maidstone Crown Court how he had searched for Oborn online, using Google, to find out if he was still alive. The victim explained, “I didn’t know if Mr Oborn was alive or dead and it kept playing on my mind that if he was still alive, would he be doing what he did to me to other people.” He further detailed how he called Oborn’s home, pretending to organize a reunion, and spoke with his wife, who confirmed Oborn’s residence and that he was out playing golf. It was during this conversation that the victim learned Oborn was the same person who had taught at Homewood School in the early 1980s.
The case took a further turn when a church sermon about forgiveness prompted the victim to report the abuse officially. Oborn was arrested in November 2014, and subsequent allegations from two other victims led to two more arrests in January and April of the following year. These victims, both women, had been home tutored by Oborn. One recounted how he made her sit on his lap while he simulated sex, and the other described how he touched her breasts under her clothes and put his hand down her knickers. One victim also remembered Oborn pressing himself against her, leaving her feeling confused and overwhelmed.
Oborn denied all allegations, dismissing one victim as “a bit of an embarrassment” who always sat too close, with her knee touching his. However, the prosecution argued that the similarities in the accounts—particularly the pattern of pressing into victims from behind—were clear evidence of their truthfulness. The jury took less than three hours to convict him of all charges after a trial in October.
During sentencing, Judge Statman highlighted the profound impact of Oborn’s actions on his victims. He condemned Oborn for exploiting their vulnerability for his own sexual gratification and abusing them in what should have been safe environments, including their own homes. The judge noted that Oborn, who resides on Wheatfield Drive in Cranbrook, had lived a double life—being a respected teacher entrusted with children’s education while secretly engaging in heinous acts.
Oborn showed no visible emotion as he was sentenced to seven years in prison. Prosecutor Paul Valder detailed the horrific abuse, including molestation in a classroom stationery cupboard, where Oborn pushed his groin into a boy’s back, gyrated against him, touched his genitals over clothing, and even put his hand down the boy’s trousers to fondle him. The same boy was also made to touch Oborn’s genitals.
Further allegations emerged when two women, both former pupils, came forward in 2016, recounting how Oborn had made them sit on his lap while he simulated sex and touched their breasts under their clothes. One of these victims described how Oborn pressed himself against her, leaving her confused and unsure of what was happening. Despite denying these accusations, Oborn’s pattern of behavior was evident, and the consistency of the victims’ accounts was deemed credible by the court.
Judge Statman also criticized the police for their initial investigation in the early 1980s, describing it as “terse,” and acknowledged that modern procedures now provide better support for victims. He emphasized that the subsequent full inquiry, conducted many years later, was appropriate and thorough. The judge remarked that society has since come to terms with such grave crimes, leading to harsher sentencing for offenders.
Addressing the victims and their families directly, Judge Statman reassured them that they are not to blame and that justice has been served after many years of suffering. He highlighted the importance of the legal system’s evolving approach to sexual offenses, which now recognizes the difficulties victims face in coming forward.
Upon release, Oborn will be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely, be subject to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order, and be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults. His case serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting damage caused by sexual abuse and the importance of justice for victims, regardless of the offender’s age or status.