This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-35603226
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Hampshire teacher jailed for sex offences against girls | Hampshire teacher jailed for sex offences against girls |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A junior school teacher who committed a series of "disgusting and appalling" sexual offences against nine girls has been jailed for three years. | A junior school teacher who committed a series of "disgusting and appalling" sexual offences against nine girls has been jailed for three years. |
| Benjamin Sarfas, 31, who worked at Kempshott Junior School in Basingstoke, admitted seven counts of sexual assault against children under 13. | Benjamin Sarfas, 31, who worked at Kempshott Junior School in Basingstoke, admitted seven counts of sexual assault against children under 13. |
| The offences involved him groping the bottoms of pupils, the court heard. | The offences involved him groping the bottoms of pupils, the court heard. |
| Sarfas, from Winchester, also pleaded guilty to 11 counts of taking indecent photographs of children. | |
| The teacher, who used a phone to film some of his victims, who were aged between eight and 11, also admitted one count of voyeurism. | |
| Passing sentence at Winchester Crown Court, Judge Keith Cutler told him he shared the "shock and horror" of his victims' parents. | Passing sentence at Winchester Crown Court, Judge Keith Cutler told him he shared the "shock and horror" of his victims' parents. |
| 'Lost her zest' | 'Lost her zest' |
| He said: "All these actions can be described as disgusting and appalling: the effects on these children has been significant, blighting what should have been a carefree youth." | He said: "All these actions can be described as disgusting and appalling: the effects on these children has been significant, blighting what should have been a carefree youth." |
| He ordered Sarfas to sign the sex offenders register for life, banned him from working with children and ordered the destruction of his computer equipment. | He ordered Sarfas to sign the sex offenders register for life, banned him from working with children and ordered the destruction of his computer equipment. |
| Kerry Maylin, prosecuting, said the crimes came to light when two of the victims were overheard by a parent talking about the attacks during a sleepover. | Kerry Maylin, prosecuting, said the crimes came to light when two of the victims were overheard by a parent talking about the attacks during a sleepover. |
| One parent wrote that her daughter had "lost her zest" after the abuse and said: "It's devastating as a mother to see this and I am not sure she will get this back." | One parent wrote that her daughter had "lost her zest" after the abuse and said: "It's devastating as a mother to see this and I am not sure she will get this back." |
| Dee Connolly, mitigating, said that Sarfas was undergoing counselling to help prevent any further offending. | Dee Connolly, mitigating, said that Sarfas was undergoing counselling to help prevent any further offending. |
| She added: "He is a broken man whose life is ruined and who will never have the career he loved again." | She added: "He is a broken man whose life is ruined and who will never have the career he loved again." |
| He has been dismissed by the school where he has worked since 2011. | He has been dismissed by the school where he has worked since 2011. |
| Det Con Andy Panter said: "In this case, Sarfas used his position to take advantage of young girls. | Det Con Andy Panter said: "In this case, Sarfas used his position to take advantage of young girls. |
| "Those young victims have all shown a huge amount of courage to speak out." | "Those young victims have all shown a huge amount of courage to speak out." |