Ex-teacher, 88, Jailed for Child Sex Crimes
Robert Kalton, 88, a former school teacher and church choirmaster from Trowbridge, has been sentenced to four years in prison for horrific child sex offences. The verdict came down at Salisbury Crown Court on February 15, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Decades of Abuse Exposed
Kalton of Ashby Road faced multiple charges from his time at St Augustine’s Roman Catholic School. He admitted to four counts of gross indecency with a boy under 14 and two counts involving a man over 16. The court handed him four years for one indecent assault on a boy under 14, plus additional prison terms of 20 weeks and two years for assaults on three other boys under 14. He also received concurrent one-year sentences for two counts of assault on a man aged 16 or over.
Life on Sex Offenders Register
In a damning ruling, Kalton was ordered to remain on the sex offenders register for life. The court revealed he had already been serving a four-year sentence for similar offences. Altogether, he was linked to 32 sexual offences against at least six boys, crimes that spanned over 20 years and across various parts of the UK.
Victim’s Brave Testimony
The latest victim came forward to Wiltshire Police in December 2019, describing abuse from ages 11 to 16. In a powerful court statement, he said Kalton “stole his victims’ childhoods and changed their lives forever.”
“He stole his victims’ childhoods and changed their lives forever.”
Detective Sergeant Rachel Winter called Kalton a “sexual predator” who abused his position of trust. She praised the victim’s courage and vowed police will continue pursuing non-recent sex offences and supporting survivors.
Police Urge Others to Speak Out
Wiltshire Police have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling sexual abuse. They urge anyone affected to report crimes, no matter how long ago, via their website or emergency hotline.
Robert Kalton’s conviction is a stark reminder: abusers will be hunted down, however long it takes.
