Eton College's headmaster has issued "unreserved apologies" after a former Russian teacher was jailed for sexually assaulting a pupil. Jacob Leland received three years and three months in prison on Friday for three counts of sexual assault on a male student at the prestigious boarding school.
The attacks occurred in 2012 when Leland was 23 years old. Reading Crown Court heard how the first assault took place at Leland's teachers' accommodation after he invited the pupil and friends, provided alcohol and cigarettes, then asked the friends to leave. A third sexual assault involved performing oral sex during a school trip.
Leland, who lived on Gatcombe Road in Islington, London, was found guilty on October 14 last year. It took "several years" for the details of what happened to come to light.
Headmaster's apology
Simon Henderson, Eton's current headmaster, expressed being "appalled" by the abuse. «Eton needs to acknowledge not only that something this serious was able to take place at our school, but also that it took several years for the details of what happened to come to light,» he said in a statement.
He added: «As headmaster, I remain appalled that this abuse happened at Eton. Mr Leland's criminal conduct represents the most egregious breach of trust. Those who were directly impacted by Mr Leland's actions had the right to be safe and secure in our care.»
Henderson emphasized: «I reiterate my unreserved apologies to them on behalf of the school.»
Judge's sentencing remarks
Judge Kirsty Real highlighted the serious breach of trust at sentencing. «The relationship of teacher and student at a school gives rise, undoubtedly, to a significant level of responsibility towards the victim upon which the victim would be entitled to rely,» she said at Reading Crown Court.
She noted the lasting damage: «For the victim, the psychological effects of what you did to him have been long-lasting and serious.»
Leland had been trusted by a housemaster at one of Eton's 25 boarding houses to look after students. The school charges annual fees of more than £60,000.
Henderson stated that pupil welfare is Eton's top priority. «When safeguarding issues arise they are dealt with in accordance with our established processes. We work in close partnership with external authorities, referring matters to them where appropriate, as we did in this case,» he said.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
