In a significant legal development, Sam Powers, a former teaching assistant from Swindon, has been convicted of rape and multiple other sexual offences against children. Powers, aged 28, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court where he was found guilty of the rape of a minor and had previously admitted to 44 additional counts of sexual offences involving children.
Detective Sergeant Zoe Purnell from Wiltshire Police on the case, stated, “Sam Powers exploited his position to access and groom vulnerable children for his sexual gratification.” She praised the courage of the victims who came forward, acknowledging their role in bringing Powers to justice. “It is thanks to their bravery that Powers has been stopped from offending again,” she added.
The investigation into Powers began in 2022 and was described as long and complex. The charges against him highlight serious abuses of trust and power in an educational setting, drawing attention to the need for stringent school safeguarding measures.
Powers is scheduled to be sentenced in June 2024. The case has sent shockwaves through the community and has raised significant concerns about the oversight of staff who are in close contact with children.
