MARTYNE AIREY, PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER FROM BLACKBURN, AVOIDS JAIL AFTER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT PROBE
In August 2014, Martyne Airey, a 51-year-old primary school teacher from Blackburn, was given a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting to sexually assaulting schoolchildren by sniffing their feet.The charges covered eight counts of sexual assault on children under 13, involving pupils aged between eight and eleven during June 2012 to October 2013.
Airey was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for a decade.
At Preston Crown Court, Judge Simon Newell stated, 'He must also complete a sexual offences treatment programme and pay a surcharge of £100.' Prior to this, in July 2014, Airey faced allegations of engaging in inappropriate 'sniff and tickle' games with his pupils' feet.
It was reported that he would call misbehaving children to stay behind after lessons, instructing them to remove their shoes and socks, before sitting them at a table and either smelling their toes or tickling their soles.
His actions came to light after several boys, who had been in his class, were questioned for being late.
They explained they had been with Airey and described what had occurred.
Court evidence revealed that Airey would have students pick a playing card, which determined whether he would sniff or tickle their feet.
He was suspended from his teaching position before being formally charged in April.
The court noted that the pupils did not report any trauma; they simply thought the behavior was 'weird.' Prosecutors argued that Airey's conduct was motivated by 'sexual gratification.' Airey pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual activity with a child under 13 at Preston Crown Court and was due for sentencing the following month.
Magistrates had previously heard from prosecutor Miss Catherine Allan that Airey, while working as a teacher, would play a game involving sniffing children's feet for sexual gratification, constituting abuse of trust given the children's ages and the number involved.
At the latest hearing, prosecutor Miss Abigail Hudson explained that three boys returned after class and disclosed their participation in the game when questioned about being late.
Their parents confirmed these events, though the children described the behavior as 'weird,' and expressed concern rather than distress.
The parents, however, felt disturbed by the incidents.
Following the hearing, one parent expressed relief: 'It was not normal behaviour.
I was really angry and disgusted when it all came out.
I’m just glad he has pleaded guilty and the children won't have to go through another ordeal.
Lots of us were really concerned about whether he would admit guilt, so it’s a relief.' Another parent commented on the breach of trust, noting that parents expect their children to be safe with teachers but acknowledged Airey's need for help.
Airey, who was granted bail on the condition he do not contact any children under 16, was warned by Judge Newell that incarceration remained a possibility.
However, the judge emphasized that his early guilty plea would be considered, as it potentially spared the court and the defendant a lengthy trial.
