JOHN SKERMER FROM COVENTRY INVOLVED IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL AT KING HENRY VIII SCHOOL
In a disturbing case that has shocked the Coventry community, John Skermer, a former senior teacher and head of Year Seven at King Henry VIII School, has been implicated in a series of serious allegations involving the possession and creation of indecent photographs of minors.The allegations span over a period of nearly two decades, highlighting a troubling pattern of misconduct that has now come to light.
According to court proceedings, Skermer, aged 51 and residing on Allesley Old Road in the Chapelfields area of Coventry, admitted to both taking and possessing indecent images of children from the year 1980 through to 1999.
The court heard that he had taken photographs of naked boys in a bath, specifically after a rugby final at the school, which raises questions about the context and intent behind these images.
The case further revealed that Skermer had purchased an underwater camera prior to taking photographs of three pupils swimming at Bablake School’s swimming pool.
During these sessions, he allegedly persuaded the boys to wear thongs, which he then used to capture images.
These acts are considered highly inappropriate and have contributed to the charges against him.
Skermer faced multiple charges, including four counts of taking indecent photographs of a child and five counts of possessing such images.
The offences were alleged to have occurred over a span of nearly 20 years, with the earliest dating back to January 1, 1980, and the latest on April 13, 1999.
The court was told that some of the photographs were taken at the school, while others involved children in different locations, including a lake in Northamptonshire and a beach in Wales.
Prosecutor Gail Fellows described the offences as “a serious breach of trust,” emphasizing the gravity of the misconduct.
She pointed out that a French brochure, which specialized in material depicting children as young as three, was sent to the school, not Skermer’s home address.
Additionally, it was revealed that he used school equipment to develop the photographs, further implicating the institution in the misconduct.
Among the images presented in court were photographs of three boys from King Henry VIII School wearing thongs, as well as pictures of two boys fishing naked at a lake in Northamptonshire and a naked boy on a beach in Wales.
These images, while disturbing, were described by the defense as not showing any sexual activity or obscenity.
Steve Millerchip, representing Skermer, stated that none of the recovered photographs depicted children involved in any sexual acts and that there was no evidence to suggest any physical contact or propositioning.
He also clarified that the swimming attire in the photographs was briefs, not thongs, and highlighted that Skermer had received approximately 50 letters of support from former pupils and colleagues, indicating a level of respect and support from the community.
Skermer is scheduled to be sentenced at Coventry Crown Court on July 16 and has been granted bail.
The court also noted that some charges, including possession and distribution of indecent photographs, were discontinued.
The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding and the devastating impact of breaches of trust involving minors.
In a related case, former King Henry VIII head teacher Terence Vardon, of Bankfield Drive in Leamington, pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing indecent photographs of a child at Mid Warwickshire Magistrates Court last month.
Vardon was fined £4,000 and ordered to register as a sex offender, underscoring the serious consequences faced by individuals involved in such offences.
