A former primary school teacher has been sentenced to prison after tickling two nine-year-old boys with feathers and an electric toothbrush. Joseph Haffenden, 32, was jailed for 51 months at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, September 3, after pleading guilty to six counts of sexual assault by touching and six counts of false imprisonment.
Offences took place between January and February
The offences came to light following a report on February 12 concerning two boys who had been sexually assaulted between January and February this year. Both boys, aged nine, gave similar accounts of what Haffenden termed a 'game' where the victims were tickled under their clothing with his hands, a feather, and an electric toothbrush.
The offences were revealed to adults who reported it to Sussex Police, and Haffenden, of High Street in Lindfield, was taken into custody. Officers searched Haffenden's property and discovered several items suggesting an interest in children and evidence which corroborated the victims' accounts.
Teacher suspended and sacked
Haffenden was suspended from his teaching role and has since been sacked. At Lewes Crown Court on Monday, July 20, he confessed to the charges.
Detective Sergeant Ellen Jones said: "Haffenden's disturbing crimes suggest a clear sexual interest in children that jar alarmingly with his position as a teacher."
Jones added: "Thanks to the bravery of his victims for reporting his offending, we have been able to bring him to justice and ensure he can pose no further risk to children." She urged any other victims of sexual offending, no matter how long ago, to report online or phone 101.
