Simon Clague 57

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A former teacher has been jailed for more than seven years after admitting to sexually abusing three underage girls in his care.

Simon Clague had previously pleaded guilty to a number of charges against three girls, all under 16 years old when they were groomed and sexually abused by the teacher at Repton School.

The victims of Simon Clague spoke of how they were manipulated by the former teacher and the irreversible damage they suffered at his hands.

Clague's barrister said his marriage broke down when his crimes became apparent and he is financially ruined.

The 55-year-old's offences took place at the 11,000-per-term establishment, where he taught maths and hockey, in the 1990s.

His victims have not been named due to the nature of the case, but one was just 13 years old when Clague started his abuse.

His second victim, who was manipulated into a sexual relationship, said via her victim impact statement that Repton School "knew (but) brushed it under the carpet".

His third victim said that she was used by Clague for "his own perverted reasons".

Judge Shaun Smith QC, who presided over the case at Derby Crown Court, has jailed Clague for seven years and 11 months, reports DerbyshireLive.

In passing sentence, Judge Smith QC said: "What you did for your own personal pleasure affected the emotional lives and well-being of the victims.

"You used and abused your position as a teacher for sexual gratification."

Mr Bide-Thomas prosecuting said that these offences all relate to sexual misconduct while Clague was a Master at Repton School and took place in the 1990s when he had sexual relations with three female pupils.

He said they were all under the age of 16 when these relationships began.

Mr Bide-Thomas said the first victim was aged 13 when she was first abused.

He said Clague "took advantage of her" befriending her and inviting the victim to his house.

He said: "Very quickly the defendant displayed a sexual interest in her. They went to his bedroom where they touched each other sexually.

"The defendant used grooming behaviour giving her gifts and writing her letters.

"He used any excuse to get her into his bedroom. On her 14th birthday he sent her a letter telling her how sexy she was."

Mr Bide-Thomas said when the first victim went on a hockey trip he sent her away with a tape and an item which had his aftershave on it.

He said when Clague was confronted about the letters he denied he had sent them, but handwriting experts linked him to them including his DNA on a stamp.

Mr Bide-Thomas read out a victim impact statement by the first victim.

In it she said: "This was innocence of my childhood he stole from me and it is important Mr Clague realises the effects can cause a lifetime.

"It was hard knowing there was a revolving door and it hurt to see him with the next young thing.

"This was no secret to anyone at the school who laughed at the absurdity it was happening."

"I feel sick to the core what happened to me. Mr Clague had the opportunity to change his plea three to four times and still pleaded not guilty.

"The damage he has done to me is irreversible and will last the rest of my life."

Mr Bide-Thomas said the second victim was 14 when she met Clague who began "flirtatious behaviour" with her before they began a sexual relationship together.

He said: "He asked her if she was a virgin."

In her victim impact statement the second victim said: "I started Repton School as a naive young girl, it was my dream to go to the same school as my childhood hero Roald Dahl.

"He used textbook grooming on me for two years.

"He encouraged me to miss a day off school and spend the day in bed with him. It was all brushed under the carpet by the school."

The victim said she went to the police four years ago and since then she has felt "isolated and unable to talk about it".

The second victim's statement continues: "I want him to know how sick to the stomach I feel when I look at my 15-year-old daughter knowing what he said to me at that age."

Mr Bide-Thomas said the third victim began a relationship with Clague in 1994 on a hockey tour abroad.

She said they started a relationship and she would go to his house.

In her victim impact statement, she said: "Instead of helping me with my studies you used me for your own perverted reasons.

"You were very calculated in your approaches and manipulated me. The shame lies with you."

Phil Gibbs, Clague's defence barrister, said his client has no previous convictions.

He said: "This behaviour was totally unacceptable, there are no excuses and I am not going to advance any.

"This man is going to prison, he accepts that and he deserves that.

"His marriage is lost, he's financially ruined, his reputation, whatever that was, is gone."

All three victims were in the public gallery.

Judge Smith said: "Can I address the victims first? The sentence I am going to pass can't give you your lives back, but I hope they bring some closure."

He will serve two-thirds of his sentence behind bars and then will be released on licence. He will be on the sex offender register for life.

He will also be barred from working with children.