FORMER TEACHER AT HELLESDON HIGH SCHOOL FACES SERIOUS SEX OFFENCE CHARGES
Parents have been left outraged after waiting nine months to find out a former teacher at their children’s school is facing allegations of sexual misconduct.An email was sent to parents of pupils at Hellesdon High School earlier this week detailing that a teacher was suspended in December last year due to “an ongoing legal process relating to a historic allegation”.
James Thomson, 52, faces nine charges relating to sexual offences in Norwich involving a teenage girl dating back 15 years.
At a hearing at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Thomson, of Bishop’s Waltham near Southampton, spoke only to confirm his personal details and did not enter pleas to the charges.
District Judge Matthew Bone sent his case to Norwich Crown Court with a plea hearing set for October 7.
The revelation from the school about the ongoing legal process has caused some parents to express their anger, with one saying he was “disgusted that this has been allowed to happen” and noting it was “the first instance we as parents have heard of this”.
Another parent added their disgust and concern about the lack of communication from the school.
The school has stated it has “cooperated fully with the relevant authorities, such as the Local Authority and the CPS”, emphasizing that “The safety and well-being of our pupils has and always will remain our highest priority.” In the email to parents, the school reassured that “The member of staff in question has not been in school since December 2024” and that further comments are not possible due to the matter being in court.
