Jail for teacher who nearly drove his teenage abuse victim to suicide

Raymond Hendrickson, 42, a teacher at South Holderness Technology College, admitted abusing the youngster over a four-year period.

The girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was not a pupil at the college.

The offences were discovered when the girl called the advice line after she confided in her school friends. ChildLine then reported the matter to the police and Hendrickson was arrested last October.

The court heard that when the teenage victim was interviewed by police, she told investigating officers she was so sickened by the abuse that she had considered suicide.

Sentencing at Hull Crown Court today, Recorder Guy Kearl said: "This was wicked behaviour, the offences were sustained and repeated against a very young victim. The effects of your behaviour are likely to affect her for the rest of her life.

"You groomed her. Nothing can excuse your behaviour."

Prosecuting, Mark Kendall said that abuse began when the girl was aged just 12.

He added: "In October last year, after talking to school friends, the victim rang ChildLine. They did their duty and called police.

"The defendant was arrested and admitted the offences, claiming they began because of his poor sexual relationship with his wife."

Defending, Anil Murray said: "He struggles to understand why he behaved like this. His wife had serious health problems and this led to him becoming stressed and depressed. He will lose his job and will never again be able to work in the profession he has served very well and was well respected in.

"He is very remorseful and accepts full responsibility which is rare in cases like this. Lots of defendants in his position would try and deny matters."

Hendrickson wept as the judge passed sentence. He admitted eight offences of sexually abusing a child at a previous hearing, and was banned from working with children indefinitely. He was suspended from his teaching post as soon as the charges came to light.

After the hearing, Det Con Craig Nicholson of Humberside Police said: "ChildLine does a great job. Children can now talk to trained councillors on e-mail as well as on the phone. It offers an incredible service.

"Anyone who is suffering abuse can speak to trained police officers or contact ChildLine."