Barry Langford, 61, worked at Royal Holloway, University of London, despite being charged with a series of sex offences in November 2024. The university only learned of the criminal proceedings the week before he was sentenced.
Plot to assault an eight-year-old girl
The film studies professor plotted with a woman in May and June 2023 to assault an eight-year-old girl. Langford messaged someone on a fetish website who he thought was offering a child for sex. In reality, there was no child, and he was chatting to an undercover police officer.
The academic dropped the plot over concerns about ending up in jail. This was reportedly after he suggested the child attend a swingers party in France.
Arrest and undisclosed police action
He was arrested in October 2023, but reportedly did not disclose the police action to Royal Holloway. Colleagues did not know Langford discussed his sexual fantasies under the name "London Pervert" on a fetish website.
A spokesman for Royal Holloway said: "The University was not informed of the criminal proceedings by either the relevant authorities or the individual concerned. The conduct in question is utterly abhorrent and has no place whatsoever within this University. We can confirm that this individual is no longer employed by the University."
"We recognise this news may be distressing to many of our students and colleagues and have support in place. Our focus remains on supporting our community and we will not be commenting further at this time."
Resignation and sentencing
Langford tendered his resignation on June 29, according to the Mail. After he was charged in November 2024, he admitted one count each of arranging the commission of a child sex offence; making an indecent image of a child and possessing extreme pornography.
Peter Clark, defending Langford, said his client suffered from serious heart issues and relations with his son were damaged by the court case. He told the Old Bailey that Langford has also been working with Sex Addicts Anonymous.
Langford was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for three years. His co-defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to a community order.
Det Cons Nikki Jones from the Metropolitan Police's Child Abuse and Sex Exploitation Unit said the case highlights the fact such individuals "walk among us". She added: "It's like a double life, that dark secret obsession of the extremes that they can't disclose to anyone because it doesn't fit in with the life they present to others."
Ms Jones said an examination of his devices showed the life he presented was the total opposite of the desire for extreme taboos he expressed and acted out on internet platforms.
