Ex-PE Teacher Jailed for Sex Abuse of Teen Pupil
Carly Dear, 46, from Thatcham, Berkshire, has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl more than 15 years ago while working as a PE teacher at Maidstone Grammar School for Girls.
Groomed Victim with Sweets and Rides
Dear first targeted the victim, then a teen, by chatting privately in the changing rooms. She gave the girl sweets and offered lifts home, winning her trust before the abuse began.
The offences escalated to sexual assaults. Dear took the girl to her home in Whitstable or to hotels, where she abused her repeatedly. She also kept grooming the victim, insisting the acts were normal.
Police Probe Leads to Conviction
The victim finally came forward in 2018. kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Kent Police arrested Dear, who was charged after a lengthy investigation into the historic abuse.
At Canterbury Crown Court in October 2021, Dear was found guilty of:
- Inciting sexual activity by a person in a position of trust
- Four counts of indecent assault
- One count of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust
She was cleared of one count of sexual assault.
Victim Praised for Courage as Abuser Faces Justice
Detective Constable Hannah Crittenden said: “Carly Dear took advantage of a child for her own selfish desire. The victim’s memories will be scarred by this abuse. She was extremely brave to speak up and did the right thing. I hope she can now focus on the future, unafraid, knowing she was believed and that Dear is facing the consequences.”
Dear will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely. The victim’s bravery has finally brought long-overdue justice for abuse that haunted her for years.
