Teacher, 43, could face prison after sexual activity with girls

ATEACHER who abused his position at a Midland school by taking part in sexual activity with two female pupils is facing a jail sentence.

The girls were both 16 when disgraced Richard Ackland was involved with them but his activity was still an offence because of his position of trust at their Warwickshire school.

Despite clear evidence against him, including messages he had exchanged, Ackland, 43, of Kenilworth, initially pleaded not guilty.

But on the day of his trial at Warwick Crown Court, his barrister Lisa Hancox asked for two of the charges to be put to him again.

Ackland then pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child – a 16-yearold girl – while in a position of trust as a teacher at her school.

He also pleaded guilty to causing or inciting a child, another 16-yearold pupil, to engage in sexual activity three or four years earlier, again while in a position of trust. The court heard how, in the earlier case, he had asked the girl to show him her naked breast.

Prosecutors accepted he had touched the breast and put the girl’s hand on his crotch, but both while clothed. Ackland had also faced three further charges alleging the possession of indecent images of children, which he had denied.

After he pleaded guilty to the more serious charges, and following issues raised about the images by a defence expert, it was not considered appropriate to ask for a trial on those matters.

Judge Sally Hancox said that Ackland had never been before the courts before and had ‘a troubled mental health history.’

She told him: “You have pleaded guilty to two counts which, I am sure it has been explained to you, are seri- ous and significant. When you next attend before me, the primary thought will be the imposition of an immediate term of custody, such has been your breach of trust in this case.”

Adjourning the case and granting bail with conditions that Ackland lives at his parents’ address, has no contact with either girl, and co-operates with the probation service, the judge called for a risk assessment report.