Primary school teacher jailed for tying boys to chairs in Lewes court case

Joseph Haffenden, 32, has been sentenced to over four years in prison for sexually abusing two nine-year-old pupils he restrained in a locked classroom.

Lewes Crown Court jails teacher who tied boys to chairs during 'Torture Time' sessions

Joseph Haffenden, 32, formerly of High Street, Lindfield, has been sentenced to 51 months in prison after pleading guilty to six counts of false imprisonment and six sexual assaults against two boys aged nine, The Argus reports.

Haffenden, a primary school teacher, locked pupils in his classroom during lunchtime, tied their feet and wrists to chairs and table legs using ribbon, and pulled their shirts over their heads before tickling them with his hands, a feather and an electric toothbrush. He told the boys the sessions — which he called "Torture Time" — would become too popular if they told other children.

He was discovered by a colleague inside a locked, darkened classroom after another boy came forward. Prosecuting barrister Richard Hearnden told Lewes Crown Court that Haffenden appeared sweaty and agitated when he was found. He immediately confessed he had done something wrong and subsequently sent an email and WhatsApp messages to staff apologising for abusing the trust placed in him. "In a few days you will realise what I have done," he wrote in a staff group message.

Police were first contacted by a parent on 12 February this year.

One of the boys told officers that Haffenden had falsely informed the school he was using the lunchtime sessions to discuss the children's behaviour. Mr Hearnden told the court that images found on Haffenden's mobile phone pointed to his motivation, including internet searches relating to tickling and restraint, and fetishes for feet and a dominatrix role. "Some of the file names suggested sexual interest in boys," he said. Haffenden claimed to be asexual.

Officers searching Haffenden's home found two child-sized mannequins dressed in children's clothing, along with school photographs.

Both mothers of the victims delivered emotional impact statements to the court. One said she had placed considerable trust in Haffenden and had shared personal family information because she believed he wanted to help her son. "The weight of that trust and the betrayal of it is almost impossible to put into words," she told the court. "Instead of protecting him, that trust was exploited. The image of him frightened, vulnerable and hurting is something I cannot escape." The second mother said her son told her he still misses Haffenden, a disclosure that leaves her deeply concerned for his wellbeing as he grows older.

His Honour Judge Mark van der Zwart addressed Haffenden directly during sentencing. "These incidents were not only a breach of the criminal law, they breach the ancient societal trust between parents and teachers," the judge said. "You positively inflicted harm on them to satisfy your own sexual fetish and lust. Any harm you caused will only become apparent when they get older."

The judge noted that the boys had not appeared distressed at the time, and had considered what was happening to be a game, but said their apparent acquiescence carried no legal weight. "They were too young to know what you were doing was for your own sexual gratification. Any consent by them was no consent at all to the secret sexual motive you had." He added that Haffenden had shown little insight into his offending and would continue to pose a high risk to children. "You considered keeping your job more important than the harm to your victims," the judge said. "Plainly, your career in teaching is at an end."

Haffenden will be released on licence after serving half of his 51-month sentence. He is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Detective Sergeant Ellen Jones of Sussex Police said she was grateful to both young victims for coming forward. "We were able to act swiftly and bring him into custody, while working with our partners and the school to ensure there were no wider safeguarding risks," she said. Jones urged anyone who has been a victim of sexual offending, regardless of how long ago the incidents occurred, to report to Sussex Police online or by calling 101.

Source: The Argus