GLYN JONES FROM GORLESTON AND NORWICH ESCAPES LONGER SENTENCE FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST SCHOOLGIRLS

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Gorleston and Norwich, Glyn Jones, a former teacher with a disturbing history of sexual misconduct, has narrowly avoided an extension to his prison sentence despite widespread criticism from legal authorities.

Jones, aged 57, first began his pattern of abuse during his early years as a trainee teacher in Plymouth during the 1970s. Over the subsequent decades, his offending extended into Norfolk, where he worked at two high schools—Lynn Grove High School in Gorleston and Hellesdon High School in Norwich—before eventually emigrating to Australia.

Throughout his career, Jones exploited his trusted position as an educator to target vulnerable young girls, with a total of six victims coming forward to testify against him. Of these, five were under the age of 16 at the time of the assaults. His crimes spanned over a period of nearly two decades, during which he maintained a clandestine life as a sex offender, hiding his actions from the public eye.

Jones’s criminal activities first came to light after an extensive investigation by Norfolk Police, which was initiated following credible tips and evidence collection. Initially, Jones denied any wrongdoing, but just before his trial was set to commence, he changed his plea to admit to seven counts of indecent assault. In August, he was sentenced to five years in prison at Norwich Crown Court.

Despite the sentence, the Attorney General, Jeremy Wright QC, challenged the ruling, arguing that the punishment was too lenient given the severity and number of offenses. An appeal was filed, seeking to have the sentence increased, with the aim of reflecting the gravity of Jones’s crimes.

During the appeal hearing, Lord Justice Simon, along with Mr. Justice Dove and Judge Mark Brown QC, reviewed the case. The court acknowledged that the sentence was somewhat lenient but ultimately decided not to interfere with the original five-year term. The judges emphasized that most of the offenses were serial in nature, committed by someone who was supposed to be a caretaker rather than an abuser.

Lord Justice Simon stated, “Most of these offences were serial crimes against young people by someone who was in a position which required him to care for them, not abuse them.” He further added, “Looking at the overall sentence, we have concluded that it was a lenient sentence, but should not be characterized as unduly lenient. In the circumstances, we will not interfere with these sentences.”

Details of Jones’s offending history reveal that his first known victim was not a pupil but a girl he kissed passionately while he was a trainee in Plymouth during the 1970s. After qualifying, Jones moved to Norfolk, where he continued his predatory behavior, abusing five pupils at the high schools where he worked. The victims were initially flattered by his attention but later subjected to kissing, groping, and in one case, being forced to perform a sex act.

It was only many years later that Jones’s crimes were uncovered, by which time he had relocated to Australia, living near Brisbane. The case highlights the long-lasting impact of his abuse, with victims now adults reflecting on the trauma inflicted upon them during their formative years.

In court, the prosecution argued that the most serious assault alone warranted a five-year sentence, and that punishing Jones for all six victims with the same term was insufficient. However, Jones’s legal team contended that the sentence was appropriate, especially considering his voluntary return to the UK and his guilty plea. They also pointed out that he would serve his custodial time and be barred from returning to Australia until his license period expired, thus keeping him away from his family and potential victims.

Ultimately, the appeal court upheld the original five-year sentence, ruling that while it might seem lenient, it was within acceptable bounds given the circumstances. The decision underscores the complexities involved in sentencing cases of historical sexual abuse, especially when offenders have shown remorse and cooperated with authorities.

Jones’s case remains a stark reminder of the dangers posed by trusted figures in educational settings and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.