Creighton Muirhead 69

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A sexual predator jailed for sexually abusing 19 children during his teaching career, including at a Swindon school, has been condemned by police.

Creighton Muirhead was sent behind bars for 11 years on Wednesday after being convicted of 23 counts of indecent assault.

They relate to his time teaching at The Weald school near Dorking, Surrey, and whilst he was headmaster of Ruskin Junior School between 1995 and 2008.

During his career, he would call female pupils to his desk under the pretence of marking their books, and put his hand up their skirts.

He made school a place of fear, dread and distrust, according to one of his victims.

Now, after he was jailed at Guildford Crown Court, the police have reacted, paying tribute to the victims and pledging that victims of sexual abuse that come forward will be believed.

Senior Investigating Officer in the case, brought Surrey Police, Detective Inspector Paddy Mayers, said: I must first of all pay tribute to the victims who gave their evidence in court which has helped ensure that Muirhead is now behind bars. Muirhead targeted numerous victims on many occasions over decades and committed these offences while working at different schools in different counties. They have put their trust in him as their teacher and he has abused this trust in the worst possible way.

With the number of victims and offences involved, this was a long and complex investigation and I would like to thank the team, particularly the investigating officer Detective Constable Tom Gilbert, for their hard work and determination which has resulted in Muirhead being brought to justice for his heinous crimes.

I would like to remind those who offend or consider offending against children that those children grow up and are likely to come forward and that we will pursue all allegations, no matter how long ago the offences took place. We will also ensure that anyone who does come forward will not only be taken seriously but will also be provided with specialist support.

The court heard during the hearing that at least one of the victims had made a report to Wiltshire Police about the abuse, but no charges were brought.

There was also involvement with childrens services and a report to the board of governors, but Muirhead was allowed to keep teaching.

Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Ross Linaker, also from Surrey Police, said: Creighton Muirhead was a sexual predator who used his position as a teacher to gain access to children and then sexually abuse them for his own gratification.

The scale of his offending, which went unchallenged for years and occurred at two schools decades apart, cannot be underestimated. I hope that Muirheads conviction sends a clear message that we will always do everything we can to ensure allegations of sexual abuse are investigated thoroughly and that we will leave no stone unturned to get to the truth.

Detective Constable Tom Gilbert, who investigated the case, added: I would like to thank all of the victims of these crimes for their courage in coming forwards and giving evidence. There is no hiding place for people who commit crimes of this nature.

Muirhead was jailed for 11 years, will be on the sex offenders register indefinitely, and will not be allowed to work with children for the rest of his life.