Ex-teacher on trial over alleged abuse at boarding school

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 12:31 · Archive

Derek Barker, 92, is on trial at Bristol Crown Court for allegedly abusing four boys at Monkton Combe School in Bath during the 1970s and 1980s.

Derek Barker, 92, is on trial at Bristol Crown Court for allegedly committing a string of sexual offences against four boys at Monkton Combe School in Bath when he taught there in the 1970s and 1980s.

According to the prosecution, Barker pleasured himself while watching one schoolboy sexually abuse a younger pupil. One victim confided in the school's chaplain about the alleged abuse but was told it was a 'wicked lie' and 'God would punish him one day'. The court heard that when one boy was abused in Barker's flat, Barker remarked to the older boy, 'He is one of the pretty boys, isn't he?' The victim described feeling as though he had no choice and was terrified by what was happening.

Barker had a flat in the school grounds as well as his own home in Limpley Stoke, where some of the alleged offending took place. He resigned from the school after a student photographed him tied to his bed at his home. The prosecution alleges he was a 'sexual predator' who exploited a teaching position that gave him access to young boys. The first complainant contacted police in 2022.

Ex-teacher on trial over alleged abuse at boarding school — Image: Wiltshire Times

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How it is being reported

Ex-private school teacher ‘pleasured himself while watching one boy abuse another’A boarding school teacher pleasured himself while watching a schoolboy sexually abuse a younger pupil, a court has heard.Wiltshire Times · 5 Nov, 12:14
Ex-private school teacher ‘pleasured himself while watching one boy abuse another’A boarding school teacher pleasured himself while watching a schoolboy sexually abuse a younger pupil, a court has heard.Gazette & Herald · 5 Nov, 12:14

In this story: Derek Barker · Monkton Combe School · Bath · Bristol Crown Court · Limpley Stoke

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