Former deputy headteacher of primary school charged with 17 more child sex offences

A former primary school deputy headteacher has been charged with an additional 17 counts of child sexual abuse, after previously admitting to other offences.

Matthew Smith, 34, was arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers at his home in East Dulwich in November 2022.

Smith, who was deputy headteacher at Thomas’s prep school in Battersea High Street, pleaded guilty to five charges days after his arrest, including causing the sexual exploitation and abuse of a child under 13 and distributing indecent images of children.

Smith appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today charged with a further 17 counts, including encouraging the rape of a child under 13, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and arranging the sexual abuse of a child.

The charges relate to the suspected commissioning of the sexual abuse of children in India over the internet between 2017 and 2022.

Smith was living in Nepal and working at a school for the majority of this time.

He moved back to the UK in July 2022 and began working at Thomas’s prep school, where he was a deputy headteacher and head of pastoral care.

The investigation has found no evidence of offending by Smith against children based in Nepal or the UK.

A spokesman for the school said: “We have been shocked and appalled beyond measure by this matter and are grateful for the work of the police and courts in bringing this man to account.

“Mr Smith’s employment at the school, which commenced in September 2022, was terminated with immediate effect when the school first learned of the charges against him in November.

“While the National Crime Agency has confirmed that none of the matters under investigation related to the school or its pupils, these deplorable actions constitute an unforgivable breach of trust and our thoughts are with those who have been impacted or damaged by them.

“As always, we remain absolutely committed to the ongoing safety and wellbeing of our pupils and our whole school community.”

Smith also faces six counts of making and distributing more than 120,000 indecent images of children.

He is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on June 20.

Helen Dore, Senior Officer at the National Crime Agency, said: “Child sexual abuse committed online and across borders is a substantial threat to the UK, and it’s one the NCA is committed to tackling.

“We are dedicated to pursing the most dangerous offenders and to protecting any child who may be at risk, in the UK and across the globe.”

Thomas’s prep school has been contacted for further comment.

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