Ex-teacher convicted of sexually abusing 14 boys

A former teacher has been found guilty of dozens of child sex offences, some dating back more than 50 years.

Robert Gould, who taught at South End Junior School in Rushden, Northamptonshire, was convicted at Northampton Crown Court of abusing 14 boys between 1971 and 1987.

Gould, previously of Wellingborough Road, Rushden, was convicted of 24 counts of indecent assault against boys under 14, gross indecency with a boy under 14, three counts of indecent assault against boys under 16 and buggery of a boy under 16.

The 74-year-old, who was also a leader at Park Road Methodist Church youth group in Rushden, will be sentenced on 21 February.

Gould was cleared of one further count of indecent assault on a boy under 14.

As first reported by the Northamptonshire Telegraph, most of the abuse took place in school time, with Gould inappropriately touching the boys.

The court heard he asked the boys to sit on his lap or used the excuse of "checking their clothing" to molest them.

On one occasion, one boy was asked to put the equipment away after football practice while it was raining.

He recalled in court how Gould told him and a friend to change out of their wet clothing, molesting him through his underwear while telling him he was "checking his pants were dry".

The court also heard testimony from a man who was abused by Gould but has since died.

The man, who was 10 at the time of the offences, described how he was repeatedly sexually assaulted by Gould, including being "raped in a storage cupboard" in Gould's classroom multiple times.

Other offences took place at the Park Road church and one occurred on a school trip to Wales.

An investigation into Gould was launched in March 2021 when one of the abused men made an online report.

It turned into a major investigation as more and more survivors came forward.

Thirteen of Gould's victims took the stand to give evidence against him.

Lead investigator Det Con Alice Hornsby from Northamptonshire Police, said it was often difficult for victims of sexual abuse to come forward.

"This is especially the case for male victims who often believe that they need to remain silent about their experiences because of an internalised belief that speaking up is a sign of weakness," she said.

"On the contrary, these men are some of the bravest men I've ever met and their courage and resilience has been incredible, especially as the investigation has taken nearly four years to get to court.

"Robert Gould may have thought that he'd gotten away with his crimes but this case goes to show that it doesn't matter how much time has passed, convictions for sexual abuse can still be achieved and Northamptonshire Police will always do everything it can to secure them."

Police also called on any of Gould's victims who had not come forward to contact them.

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