ROBERT GOULD, RUSHDEN TEACHER AND PREDATOR, FOUND GUILTY OF SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST 14 BOYS IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

In a landmark case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Rushden and the surrounding areas, Robert Gould, a 74-year-old former teacher and church volunteer, has been convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of more than a decade. The verdict was delivered after a meticulous three-day deliberation by a jury composed of nine men and three women, who carefully examined the overwhelming evidence presented during the trial at Northampton Crown Court.

Gould, who resided on Wellingborough Road in Rushden, sat in the courtroom watching as the jury announced their findings. The court proceedings revealed that he was guilty of 29 out of 30 charges, which included multiple counts of sexual assault and rape. The jury, after considering the evidence for nearly 13 hours, returned their verdicts in court number four, with some counts reaching a majority verdict due to the inability of the jury to reach unanimous agreement.

The case against Gould was built on two weeks of detailed and disturbing evidence, much of which was too graphic to be published. The allegations centered around victims who were approximately 10 years old when the abuse occurred at South End Juniors, located on Wymington Road, between 1972 and 1988. The court also heard about two additional serious assaults that took place outside the school environment, involving individuals met through Gould’s connections. One of these assaults occurred at the Park Road Methodist Church youth club, an organization where Gould and his wife, who is also a former teacher and remains an active Methodist, were involved. The other incident involved a victim met through family ties.

Further complicating the case was Gould’s prior criminal record from 1988, when he was convicted of abusing five other boys. Despite his denials, the victims were compelled to testify in court, providing harrowing accounts of their experiences. During the trial, Gould’s defense team argued that he maintained his innocence, but the evidence was compelling enough to secure a conviction.

Following the verdict, Judge David Herbert KC warned Gould that he faces a substantial prison sentence. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for the end of February. Gould’s defense lawyer, James Gray, stated that his client had requested to be remanded in custody, expressing that Gould was ‘realistic’ about his future. Gould will remain in prison until sentencing, and a pre-sentence report will be prepared to assess his potential danger to the public.

Emma Cornell, a senior crown prosecutor from the CPS East Midlands unit specializing in rape and serious sexual offenses, issued a statement condemning Gould’s actions. She described him as someone who presented himself as a respectable primary school teacher and church volunteer, but behind this facade was a predatory individual who sought to exploit and abuse vulnerable boys. Cornell emphasized that Gould’s 16-year campaign of abuse had devastating effects on the lives of the 14 victims, some of whom have come forward only now to share their stories. She expressed hope that the conviction would bring some measure of justice and aid in their recovery.

Judge Herbert concluded the proceedings by thanking the jury for their service and reaffirming his confidence in the jury system’s effectiveness. He underscored the importance of impartiality in such serious cases, stating that it would be inappropriate for him to make factual judgments on the evidence presented. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in addressing sexual abuse, especially when it involves trusted community figures like Gould, who was once seen as a pillar of the Rushden community.