Sentencing Of Richard Oldham Expected In September

By Rob Dixon

A former primary school teacher who worked at schools in York has pleaded guilty to a total of 23 sexual offences, including six charges of sexual assault on two boys.

Richard Arthur Oldham, 31, now of North Tamerton in Holsworthy, Devon, also admitted charges of making and possessing indecent images of children and three counts of voyeurism during the hearing at Leeds Crown Court.

Following the guilty pleas, Mr Oldham was released on bail and is now expected to be charged in September.

Tom Fletcher, a lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who specialises in providing support to victims of abuse and neglect, said: “These are clearly very serious charges and the community in the York area will be very concerned by what has emerged in recent months.

“It clearly remains imperative at this point that both victims and their families are given and continue to receive support in this incredibly difficult time, to ensure they can get the best from life despite the huge physical and psychological impact that abuse of this nature can have on victims.

“That must be the ultimate priority at this point, although in the future attention must turn to considerations regarding how this case emerged and ultimately whether lessons can be learned which may improve the safeguarding of youngsters in the future.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in relation to Child Abuse claims