ROBERT CASEY FROM ILKESTON AND KIRK HALLAM SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AT DERBYSHIRE SCHOOL

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Ilkeston and Kirk Hallam, Robert Casey, aged 49, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a former pupil. Casey, who was serving as a school chaplain at St John Houghton Catholic School in Kirk Hallam, was convicted after admitting to causing a person to engage in a sexual activity without their consent.

The incident came to light during a court hearing at Derby Crown Court, where it was revealed that Casey had been suspended from his duties at the school following the allegations. The victim, a young man who was only 12 years old when he first met Casey, developed a close relationship with the chaplain over time. However, the relationship took a dark turn when, last July, the victim, who was then 18, was subjected to a sexual assault by Casey.

The court heard that the assault was a breach of trust, especially given Casey’s role as a figure of guidance and inspiration for many young people. The presiding judge, Recorder Paul Mann QC, acknowledged Casey’s previous reputation as an influential teacher who had made a positive impact on students’ lives. Nonetheless, he emphasized the gravity of the breach, stating, “You’ve made a significant difference to the life of your victim, with the most appalling breach of trust.”

As part of his sentencing, Casey was not only given a prison term but was also ordered to register as a sex offender, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the need for ongoing monitoring. The victim’s family expressed their relief at the guilty plea, although they also conveyed the trauma and distress experienced by their son as a result of the incident. The case has left the communities of Ilkeston and Kirk Hallam grappling with the betrayal of trust by someone they once regarded as a trusted figure.