PAUL SLATER SHOCKS BEDFORD AND RUSHDEN WITH CHILD ABUSE SCANDAL

In a deeply disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Bedford and Rushden, Paul Slater, a retired teacher and former assistant headteacher, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for heinous acts of child abuse. The crimes, which spanned over three years, involved Slater exploiting a young girl starting from the age of just seven years old, subjecting her to repeated sexual abuse during that period.

Slater, who was employed at Harrowden Middle School in Bedford until his arrest earlier this year, was found guilty at Oxford Crown Court on a Friday. The court heard how Slater, now 59 years old, had inflicted profound emotional and psychological damage on the girl, whom he poisoned with his actions over an extended period. The judge described him as a paedophile who had irreparably harmed the victim’s life.

During the proceedings, the court was informed that the abuse took place during the early 1990s, a time when the girl was particularly vulnerable. Slater would often be alone with her, and it was during these private moments that he engaged in inappropriate sexual touching. Prosecutor Jamie De Burgos stated that the abuse was not a one-time event but continued regularly over the years, causing ongoing trauma.

Jurors at Northampton Crown Court, where the case was tried last month, heard how the girl initially did not understand that Slater’s actions were wrong. Her innocence was further compromised after the NSPCC visited her school to deliver a talk on safeguarding. Following this, she bravely asked Slater to stop, and he complied temporarily. However, a few years later, she confronted him directly, and he falsely claimed that his actions were in accordance with her wishes.

The victim, now 25 years old and legally protected from being named, expressed her anguish after the sentencing. She emphasized the lasting impact of Slater’s abuse, stating, “I don’t think people appreciate how much it affects you – it will affect me for life. I have had my childhood removed and he should be locked up for the rest of his life.”

Defence lawyer Maxine Krone highlighted Slater’s previously unblemished record, noting his 28 years of service as a teacher and describing him as a gentle, caring, and compassionate man. She argued that he had stopped the abuse when asked and that no further allegations had been made in the last 16 years, despite his continued employment in education. Krone maintained that Slater did not accept guilt.

However, Judge Thomas Corrie was unequivocal in his sentencing, stating, “The fact is you have poisoned her life and caused her significant emotional damage.” As part of his punishment, Slater was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was prohibited from working with children under 16. Additionally, he was banned from being in the same room as any girl under that age unless supervised.

Following the sentencing, the victim’s words resonated with many, underscoring the lasting scars left by such abuse. A spokesperson for Bedford Borough Council, which oversees the local education authority, confirmed that Slater was suspended immediately upon his arrest and left Harrowden Middle School on May 31, 2008. The council assured the public that proper procedures were followed, including referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer and adherence to multi-agency safeguarding protocols. They also emphasized that no pupils from the school were involved in the case and reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding children through rigorous staff vetting and criminal background checks.