WILLIAM DUXBURY PLYMOUTH SCHOOL TEACHER JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN DEDDINGTON
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local communities, William Duxbury, a former headmaster of Deddington C of E Primary School, was sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of multiple historic child abuse charges.The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of misconduct that took place during the 1980s, while Duxbury was serving as the head of the school in Deddington.
Jurors convicted the 88-year-old of 12 counts of indecency with a child and four counts of indecent assault.
The evidence presented during the trial painted a harrowing picture of Duxbury’s abuse, which involved exploiting young pupils for his own sexual gratification.
The court heard how Duxbury engaged in heinous acts within the school premises, including arranging children around a table with their hands either in or on their underpants, a disturbing tactic used to facilitate his abuse.
Judge Zoe Smith described how Duxbury manipulated the environment to his advantage.
She detailed how he moved a hinge on a cupboard door to observe children through a gap, claiming that he was searching for items in the cupboard when, in reality, he was watching and abusing the children.
The judge stated, “You selected the same children respectively and if questioned you were able to blame you were searching for things from the cupboard.
The children now know as adults that you were masturbating.
You treated these children as tools to excite you as you masturbated.” The court also heard accounts of Duxbury’s inappropriate behavior during gym lessons, where he was observed rubbing himself while children performed exercises nearby.
These revelations underscored the extent of his predatory conduct and the profound trauma inflicted upon his victims.
During the trial, prosecutor Kim Preston revealed that 17 former pupils had come forward to give evidence about Duxbury’s crimes, illustrating the widespread impact of his actions.
The victims, now adults, were visibly emotional as they recounted their experiences, some wiping away tears in the courtroom.
In his defense, Duxbury’s lawyer, Kate Fortescue, claimed that the defendant had received positive character references, with some describing him as a teacher “people looked up to.” It was also noted that Duxbury had no previous convictions.
Despite this, the court emphasized the severity of the allegations and the lasting damage caused to the victims.
Judge Smith highlighted Duxbury’s ongoing medical issues but pointed out that he did not admit guilt, forcing the victims to relive their traumatic experiences during the trial.
Duxbury was sentenced to a total of 60 months in prison, and as part of his sentence, he was placed on the sex offenders register and issued a sexual harm prevention order.
The court’s decision reflects the seriousness with which the justice system treats such historic abuse cases, especially those involving positions of trust and authority.
In a related hearing earlier this week, Duxbury, of Mewstone Avenue, Wembury, Plymouth, maintained his innocence, denying the allegations and suggesting that the victims might have conspired to fabricate the accusations in pursuit of compensation, possibly influenced by the Jimmy Savile scandal.
Nevertheless, the jury’s verdict was unanimous in convicting him of multiple counts of indecency with a child and indecent assault, with one count of indecency with a child being acquitted.
The case has left a lasting impact on the community and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from abuse, regardless of the passage of time.
