Teacher from Educating Cardiff sentenced for sexual assault

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 17:45 · Archive

Gareth Ritter, a teacher featured in Channel 4's Educating Cardiff, received a suspended 33-month sentence for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 2015.

Gareth Ritter, 44, a former assistant head teacher at Willows High in Cardiff, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to a suspended 33-month prison term. He had previously admitted making and distributing indecent images of a minor. The sexual assault occurred in 2015 when Ritter, then 36, offered a 17-year-old girl a lift home after an event in Cardiff. He then told her he needed to stop at a flat in Cardiff Bay, where the assault took place.

Ritter initially denied the sexual assault charge, forcing his victim to sit through a trial before he changed his plea three days into proceedings. The judge, Dyfed Llion Thomas, criticised Ritter for his arrogance and self-importance during his evidence. At the flat, Ritter made comments about how the girl looked and dressed that made her feel uncomfortable. He placed his hand on her lower back uninvited and moved it down to her backside, then asked if she wanted to see the bedroom. When she moved into the living room, he pressed her against the wall and kissed her without consent.

The victim managed to push Ritter away and told him she was a 'good girl' from a Christian school whose father was expecting her home. On the journey afterwards, Ritter told her not to tell anyone what had happened. The victim read a victim impact statement at sentencing, telling him he made her feel sick. Judge Thomas said the girl 'didn't want any of this sexual contact' and 'made it quite clear that she didn't want any form of sexual contact'.

How it is being reported

• Teacher from hit Channel 4 series finally sentenced after admitting sexual assaultA teacher featured in the Channel 4 documentary Educating Cardiff has been given a suspended prison sentence for sexually assaulting a teenage girl.South Wales Argus · 4 Nov, 15:04
• Teen victim describes sickening sexual assault by teacher who appeared on Channel 4's Educating CardiffGareth Ritter, former assistant head at Willows High in Cardiff, received a suspended 33-month sentence for sexually assaulting a minor and making and distributing indecent images of a minor.WalesOnline · 4 Nov, 14:14

In this story: Gareth Ritter · Willows High · Cardiff · Channel 4 · Cardiff Crown Court

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