Julius Anthony Edwards

A former Hampshire science teacher, Julius Anthony Edwards, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for a series of sexual offences against two vulnerable teenage boys. Described by the court as a 'cynical and highly manipulative' predatory paedophile, Edwards targeted underage boys online, grooming them with explicit messages and images before arranging meetings for sexual acts.

The offences occurred between March and April 2020. Edwards, then 49 and residing on Queens Road in Farnborough, Hampshire, sought out vulnerable teenagers on social media. He presented himself as a caring adult to gain their trust, encouraging discussions about sex and the exchange of intimate images. One victim, aged 13, described the profound impact in a court statement: 'I was a really happy child until he took that from me. I have felt a sadness ever since. I cry more now than ever before.' The boy also expressed ongoing anxiety and distrust towards teachers, knowing Edwards was one himself.

• Edwards was convicted of 18 offences, including three counts of sexual activity with a boy under 16, nine counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a boy under 16, one count of sexual assault by penetration, three counts of attempting to engage in penetrative sexual activity with a boy under 16, and two counts of failure to comply with a notice to provide a key.
• He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sexual communication with a child, bringing the total to 19 offences.

At Kingston Crown Court on 4 June 2021, Judge Peter Lodder detailed how Edwards exploited the second victim's vulnerabilities, picking him up in his car and driving to a wooded area north of Guildford for sexual intimacy. The judge noted Edwards 'boasted' about abusing other boys, including the first victim, whom he drove to a remote location. Edwards also attempted to contact a third 'boy', who was actually an undercover police officer posing as a 13-year-old named 'Liam' online under the username 'don't be shy'. He engaged in the same grooming tactics and repeatedly sought a meeting.

Following his arrest on 15 June 2020, Edwards refused to provide PIN codes for his mobile devices, hindering the police investigation. While in custody, he tried to change his name by deed poll and apply for a new passport to conceal his identity and evade restrictions, an action Judge Lodder described as 'entirely consistent with the picture you present of a cynical and highly manipulative offender'. Edwards taught at Dove House School in Basingstoke at the time of his arrest, though the victims were not his students.

Detective Constable Mike Stanley from the Guildford Safeguarding Investigation Unit praised the team's efforts: 'I hope that the sentence handed out today demonstrates our commitment to carrying out a full and thorough investigation to ensure that offenders are brought to justice.' In addition to the 14-year custodial sentence, Edwards received an extended licence period of four years, a Sexual Harm Protection Order, a restraining order for the victims, and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge. The case was investigated by Surrey Police.