Former Shoreham College teacher from Worthing pleads guilty to 10 child sex offences

A former Shoreham College teacher has pleaded guilty to ten sex offences against children as young as eight.

Neil Turner, 66, of Pevensey Garden in Worthing, admitted to indecently assaulting seven boys, from the 1970s up to 2016, at a hearing held at Worthing Magistrates’ Court yesterday (July 8).

Turner’s latest victims came forward following an initial conviction in June, 2017, when the retired teacher was jailed for 32 months for sexual assaults on three young boys during the 80s and 90s.

Addressing magistrates, the crown’s prosecutor said: “These crimes will be committed to crown court as they were clear breaches of trust on boys between eight and 16.

“These only came to light following the previous sentence and, as a result of media interest, these victims came forward.”

Turner pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent touching on a boy under the age of 14, two counts of indecent touching of a boy under 16 years, two counts of assaulting a boy under 13 by touching and one count of indecently touching a man aged 16 or over.

Following the guilty plea, chairman of the bench Gavin Oclee-Brown agreed the ‘serious offences’ meant sentencing powers beyond magistrates’ court were required.

He ordered Turner to appear at Lewes Crown Court on August 5 for sentencing.

He was already placed on the sex offender’s register for life as part of his previous convictions, which came about following an investigation started in November, 2015.

Turner’s defence pointed out there had been no allegations made against his client since his 2017 conviction.

He was released on unconditional bail.