MILES ESTERSON FROM BARNET JAILED IN FLORIDA FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON CHILDREN AT DISNEY AND SEA WORLD

In a disturbing case that has garnered significant attention, Miles Esterson, a 28-year-old former resident of Barnet, has been sentenced to five years in a United States prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing young boys. The allegations against Esterson, who previously worked at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls in Elstree until 2008, emerged following his arrest in July in Florida, where he was detained alongside Jerry Wiley, a 45-year-old convicted sex offender.

Esterson, who lived in Finchley, North West London, was convicted earlier this month of engaging in sexual acts with three boys under the age of 12 over a span of two years. The victims, three brothers aged five, nine, and eleven, reported that the men, who were friends of their father, had molested them during family trips to popular theme parks such as Disney World and Sea World. The children recounted that the abuse occurred in hotel rooms and during outings, with the men taking them on trips and providing financial support for their travel, accommodation, and shopping.

Wiley, a registered sex offender with a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1986, was sentenced to ten years in prison. The authorities revealed that Wiley operated a computer business and had met Esterson online, which led to their collaboration in the alleged abuse. Esterson, a computer expert, had previously worked at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls in Elstree from August 2000 until March 2008. His online profile states that he is currently the managing director of Semiotic Systems Ltd, an IT company.

According to a search warrant issued by Detective Chris Loyko of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the children had been threatened into silence, but one of the boys eventually confided in his mother after returning home from visiting his father. The investigation revealed that Esterson paid for the children’s and their father’s expenses, including theme park tickets, hotel stays, and shopping trips. During questioning, Esterson admitted to funding the trips and paying for hotel rooms, as well as having children sleep in his bed, though he denied any further involvement.

Detective Pamela Warren, also from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, stated, “We do not believe that the father was aware any criminal activity was taking place in relation to his child.” She added that one of the children had disclosed the abuse to his mother, prompting her to alert the police. Esterson, who was born in England and holds dual citizenship in the UK and the US, has not made any public statements regarding the case. Each of the charges he faces is considered a capital offense, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Lake County Court clerk Danielle Biggs confirmed that Esterson has been charged with three counts of sexual battery involving victims under 18. Both Esterson and Wiley are currently held without bail at Lake County Jail. The school where Esterson previously worked issued a statement, with bursar David Thompson affirming that the institution is aware of the charges but that no pupils were involved in any of the alleged offenses, and no incidents occurred on school premises. The school has also pledged to cooperate fully with authorities during their investigation.