Deputy headteacher pleads guilty to child sexual abuse offences

The deputy headteacher of a primary school has pleaded guilty to five child sexual abuse offences.

Matthew Smith, 34, was arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers at his home in East Dulwich on Sunday.

Smith, who was deputy headteacher at Thomas’s prep school in Battersea High Street, was charged with causing or inciting the sexual abuse of a child under 13, distributing indecent images of children (IIOC) in category A, and three counts of making IIOC in categories A-C.

He pleaded guilty to all five counts yesterday and is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court for sentencing on a date to be fixed.

This remains a live investigation, with early indications of significant online offending and “international lines of inquiry”, said the NCA.

In a statement, the school said: “We have been shocked and distressed to learn of these charges. 

“The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is, and always will be, our top priority.

“As there are ongoing criminal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time other than to say that there is no suggestion that the offences relate to Mr Smith’s employment at Thomas’s or to any current or former pupils of the school. 

“Mr Smith’s employment at the school, which commenced in September this year, has been terminated with immediate effect.”

Tony Cook, NCA head of child sexual abuse investigations, said: “These guilty pleas are a significant step in what is an ongoing, complex investigation.

“Child sex abuse perpetrated online and across borders is a substantial threat to the UK, and the NCA is dedicated to investigating in these challenging spaces in order to safeguard children and pursue the highest risk offenders.”

Pictured top: Thomas’s prep school in Battersea High Street (Picture: Google Street View)