A decorated military veteran who turned to teaching after suffering life-changing injuries in Afghanistan now faces a potential prison sentence after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Lance Corporal Ben Roberts, who was hailed as a hero after surviving a Taliban bomb blast, appeared at Worcester Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child.
From Battlefield to Classroom
The 34-year-old had retrained as a design and technology teacher following his medical discharge from the army, finding employment at the respected Royal Grammar School in Worcester. His inspiring story of overcoming adversity had made him a popular figure among staff and students alike.
However, the court heard how Roberts exchanged hundreds of messages with a sixth-form student through Snapchat, with the communications becoming increasingly inappropriate in nature.
Relationship Discovered
The relationship came to light when the girl's mother discovered the messages and immediately contacted school authorities. The prestigious independent school, which charges fees of approximately £15,000 per year, swiftly suspended Roberts and launched an internal investigation.
Prosecutor Mark Phillips told the court that while there was no evidence of physical contact, the nature and volume of messages exchanged constituted a clear breach of professional boundaries and trust.
Fall from Grace
Roberts's fall from grace is particularly stark given his background as a respected soldier who served with distinction in Helmand Province. His injury during a patrol in 2010 had ended his military career but he appeared to have successfully rebuilt his life through teaching.
Defence counsel Sarah Swain explained that her client had been struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and the breakdown of his marriage at the time of the offences.
Safeguarding Failures
The case has raised questions about safeguarding procedures at educational institutions, particularly regarding communication between staff and students outside school hours. The court heard how the messaging occurred primarily during evenings and weekends.
Judge Nicholas Cole has ordered pre-sentence reports and warned Roberts that all sentencing options remain open, including immediate custody. The former soldier has been released on conditional bail pending sentencing next month.
School authorities have confirmed that robust safeguarding measures have been reviewed and strengthened following the incident, while offering support to affected students and families.
