Deputy Head Teacher Jailed for Orchestrating Child Abuse in India
Former deputy head teacher Matthew Smith, 35, from East Dulwich, has been slammed with a 12-year prison sentence for paying teens in India to abuse children. The National Crime Agency (NCA) nabbed him in November 2022 after discovering he was sharing vile abuse material on the dark web.
Dark Web Predator Caught in the Act
Smith was caught red-handed online, chatting with a teenage boy in India and offering cash for explicit images of younger children. Investigators found dark web forums dedicated to child sexual abuse open on his computer.
- He paid two teens in India a shocking £65,398 over five years to abuse children.
- Smith gave detailed instructions, sending images and videos as ‘examples’ of what he demanded.
- He coached one teen on how to befriend and groom children for abuse.
Disturbing Past and Close to Home
While living in Nepal and working at a school, Smith exploited his access to children. Before that, he worked in Indian orphanages and NGOs between 2007 and 2014. The NCA shared intelligence with Indian authorities to safeguard victims and investigate possible offences committed there.
In July 2022, Smith returned to the UK and started working as deputy head teacher and head of pastoral care at a London primary school. Over that summer, he advertised for flatmates claiming to be a teacher who could help with childcare — but he was arrested before exploiting anyone at home.
Horrific Evidence & Severe Sentence
The authorities recovered over 120,000 indecent images from Smith’s devices. He pleaded guilty to 22 counts, including encouraging rape of a child under 13 and arranging child sexual abuse.
Southwark Crown Court sentenced him to 12 years behind bars. Smith will also face an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and be on the sex offenders register for life.
Helen Dore, Senior Officer at the NCA, said: “Matthew Smith is a prolific offender and master manipulator who coerced young men into abusing children on his behalf. He abused his position of trust as a teacher to hide his vile crimes. This investigation ensures he will spend a long time in prison.”
An NSPCC spokesperson added: “Smith’s calculated and callous crimes exploited children to harm others. We hope every victim is identified and supported. His conviction sends a message that such predators will be caught.”
Calls grow louder for tougher online safeguards as Smith used the internet to commit his crimes. The Government’s Online Safety Bill aims to force tech firms to do more to protect children.
