Mark Craster-Chambers

Mark Craster-Chambers, aged 54 from Preston on Stour near Stratford-upon-Avon, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court for sexually abusing a teenage girl over 20 years ago. As a teacher at the time, Craster-Chambers exploited his position of trust by kissing and engaging in sexual acts with the 16-year-old pupil. The court heard that the victim did not recognise the incidents as abuse for many years and only reported them to police recently.

The victim, now a woman, attended the sentencing hearing and provided a powerful impact statement read by a detective. She stated: "My whole life has been tainted by their actions. I feel they have robbed me of the remaining years of my childhood, of my education and possible future." Specifically addressing Craster-Chambers, she added: "He was my teacher; he should have known better. Because of him I have spent my whole life anxious around people in positions of trust like doctors, therapists and even in job interviews. I hope he never gets to look after vulnerable children again."

Recorder Richard Archer, sentencing Craster-Chambers to 18 months in prison, remarked: "You knew full well, in light of the high professional regard in which you were otherwise held, what the law was and why it existed. You broke that law and broke her trust." Craster-Chambers had risen to deputy head during his 26-year teaching career, which he left in 2016. In addition to his custodial sentence, he must sign the sex offenders' register and is barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

The case was prosecuted with evidence from Cumbria Police, highlighting the long-term effects of such abuses. This incident was one of three unconnected cases involving the same victim, all addressed in the same court proceedings.