Teacher jailed over abuse and images on computer

Huddersfield man Graham Roebuck, 58, committed the sex offences against a girl and a boy nearly a decade ago and it was during a police inquiry in 2010 that more than 2,500 indecent images of children were found on his computer.

Roebuck, who is understood to have worked at schools in the Halifax and Huddersfield area, denied all the charges, but was convicted by a jury at Bradford Crown Court last week.

The two victims cannot be identified but the sex offences were not related to Roebuck’s work as a teacher.

Judge John Potter banned Roebuck from working with children and he will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Roebuck, of Ladyhouse Lane. Berry Brow, had no previous convictions.

“You are hitherto of impeccable character and I do recognise that your conviction in these proceedings of sexual assaults on children represents a dramatic and complete loss of good character and reputation in particular given your life pursuit of a career in teaching,” the judge said.

Roebuck was found guilty on five charges relating to the sexual abuse and a further 20 allegations covering the images.

Most of the images were at the lowest level of seriousness but officers did find a quantity of more serious child porn.

Judge Potter said such images contributed significantly to the abuse of children.

“If people like you did not wish to seek sexual gratification in looking for images such as these on the internet and thereafter view them the images may not be created in the first place.”

The judge pointed out that during his trial Roebuck had compelled his victims to give evidence and be cross-examined on the basis that they were not telling the truth.

Roebuck was jailed for four-and-a-half years for the sexual abuse with an additional six months for the child porn offences.

His barrister Sophie Drake said her client had been in teaching many years and there was never a suggestion of any complaints against him.

“Despite the fact that having had, no doubt, lots of opportunity to offend against children there is absolutely no suggestion he did within his capacity as a teacher.

“As a result of this conviction the defendant has lost a job which he was clearly very dedicated to and a job he loved very much.’’

Miss Drake said Roebuck feared his partner may not be able to keep their home and he was also concerned about the impact on his elderly mother.