A former private school Wadebridge paedophile teacher, Jonathan Thomson-Glover, has been incarcerated after confessing to creating obscene photos of numerous minors utilising concealed cameras at a boarding school, a conduct the judge deemed his critical failing.
Jonathan Thomson-Glover, 53, a former educator at Clifton College in Bristol, admitted guilt to 36 charges of creating, capturing, and having indecent photos of minors.
Jonathan Thomson-Glover, from Wadebridge, Cornwall, received a sentence of three years and nine months from Judge David Ticehurst at Taunton Crown Court.
The allegations involve over 120 victims recorded by concealed cameras at Clifton College, which charges £11,000 a term, and a location in Cornwall, spanning a duration of 16 years.
Jonathan Thomson-Glover acknowledged 27 counts of acquiring an indecent image of a kid, seven counts of producing an indecent image of a child, and two counts of possessing indecent photos of children.
He was indicted subsequent to a collaborative inquiry conducted by Avon and Somerset police and Devon and Cornwall police.
The court informed Jonathan Thomson-Glover that he was a guy confronting a life now in shambles. He stated that life was commendable and that you had made a beneficial contribution. Your fatal fault has turned life to mere rubble.
You are the architect of your own tragedy, and thus, there is scant sympathy for you. The extent of the pain and damage inflicted upon individuals who placed their trust in you or were under your care is incalculable.
Jonathan Thomson-Glover exhibited no emotion as he was escorted from the dock. He was mandated to register as a sex offender eternally and prohibited from employment around minors upon his release.
The court learnt that Jonathan Thomson-Glover joined the school at the age of six, due to his father’s employment as a pastor there. He resumed his teaching position at the school and was highly esteemed.
During the prosecution, Howard Phillips stated that many learners characterise him as more of a friend than an educator. He was an individual with a laid-back demeanour who permitted his students to smoke cigarettes, consume alcohol, and partake in sexual activities on school grounds.
The parents viewed him as the epitome of professionalism; he demonstrated genuine care, attained excellent examination results, and exceeded expectations. However, the actuality was quite divergent.
Jonathan Thomson-Glover was apprehended in August 2014 following the National Crime Agency’s discovery that his IP address had been utilised to download indecent photos of minors. Officers confiscated four laptops, discs, and many Hi-8 camera films, along with 330 VHS video recordings from three locations they searched. Jonathan Thomson-Glover was apprehended but opted to remain silent.
Authorities uncovered that he had been downloading thousands of illicit photographs of minors, employing search phrases like pre-teen boys. An analysis of the recordings disclosed 2,500 hours, equivalent to 104 days of footage recorded at Clifton College and a location in Cornwall, pertaining to over 120 victims.
The footage was captured using concealed cameras positioned at multiple positions throughout the two venues, as well as a camera concealed within a bag featuring an aperture. It involved students participating in sexual activities, utilising the lavatory and shower facilities, and engaging in private sexual actions.
During subsequent questioning, Jonathan Thomson-Glover confessed to the charges, stating to the police: It was a compulsion driven by the internet. The court determined that there is no evidence indicating the tape was disseminated or that Thomson-Glover acted inappropriately towards any youngster.
Andrew Langdon QC, representing Jonathan Thomson-Glover, stated that his client expressed regret and sought forgiveness.
Langdon stated that the footage was never disseminated and that most of it remained unwatched, featuring students aged 16 or 17 engaged in sexual actions at the time of filming. He had suppressed gay urges during his adolescence. During the 1960s and 70s, societal attitudes towards gays were markedly different.
Langdon stated that his client had engaged in relationships with women, which led to psychological breakdowns and suicide attempts. Subsequently, he became a teacher at the school and placed concealed cameras after observing photographs online.
It resulted in a schizophrenic existence, Langdon stated. On one hand, he achieved success. Conversely, he possessed a clandestine addiction. It is very simple to assert that his positive contributions just served to enable the negative. [Editor’s Note – UTTER BOLLOCKS]
Several parents of youngsters who were recorded submitted letters to the judge in support of Jonathan Thomson-Glover after seeing him post-arrest. A mother recounted encountering a man who was profoundly remorseful and penitent.
The court was informed that Jonathan Thomson-Glover’s mother has experienced two strokes since his incarceration, and his father has also deteriorated in health. He never intended for others to suffer, Langdon noted.
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