ROBERT HEALY SHOCKS EASTBOURNE AND FRISTON WITH SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE PUPILS

In a disturbing case that has rocked the communities of Eastbourne and Friston, Robert Healy, a 27-year-old teacher, has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with two underage pupils. The heinous misconduct took place while Healy was employed at the Bishop Bell School in Eastbourne, where he worked as a cover supervisor, responsible for overseeing classes in the absence of regular teachers.

Healy’s predatory behavior came to light after investigations revealed that he had groomed the teenage girls through social networking sites, notably Bebo. The court heard that he initially befriended the girls online, showering them with flattering messages that gradually led to a series of inappropriate encounters. One of the victims, whose identity remains protected, began a relationship with Healy in September 2007 after he contacted her via email, complimenting her by calling her “stunning.”

According to court reports, the teacher and one of the girls would meet at a friend’s house to carry out their illicit relationship. The girl became increasingly anxious when a neighbor discovered their meetings, and she feared her mother might be informed. This led to the end of their relationship in January of the following year. The second girl was approached by Healy on Christmas Day through email, which initiated a flirtatious exchange of texts. Their relationship escalated as they started meeting in person, with sexual encounters taking place in Healy’s car.

During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that the second girl had even feared she might be pregnant by Healy, highlighting the serious nature of his misconduct. Despite being aware of the gravity of his actions, Healy continued to pursue these relationships, showing a blatant disregard for the boundaries of his professional role.

Healy’s employment history at the school was marred by prior warnings. Before his dismissal, he had received two informal reprimands from the school authorities concerning his inappropriate behavior with students. Despite these warnings, he was advised to exercise caution, yet he continued his inappropriate conduct.

Prosecutor Tracey Elliott emphasized that Healy had befriended the girls through online platforms and had engaged in sexual activities with them while in a position of trust. The court was told that Healy’s actions caused significant distress not only to the victims but also to their families. The father of one of the girls expressed his shock and disappointment, stating, “You send your children to school to learn and you put full trust in the school. I am still in shock over the whole situation. I cannot believe what happened.”

During the sentencing, Judge Charles Kemp condemned Healy’s actions, describing them as a serious breach of trust. He pointed out that the girls, being impressionable and vulnerable, were easily manipulated by someone in a position of authority. The judge also noted that Healy’s pursuit of the girls appeared to be predatory in nature, and he had shown no regard for his professional responsibilities.

In addition to the prison sentence, Healy was ordered to be subject to a sexual offences prevention order, which will restrict his contact with children for the next ten years. He is also required to sign the sex offenders register for life. Due to the nature of his offenses and the risk of further communication, Healy was remanded in custody at the time of sentencing, preventing any immediate contact with potential victims.

This case underscores the importance of safeguarding measures within educational institutions and highlights the devastating impact that breaches of trust by individuals in authority can have on young lives and their families.