Former Southampton teacher jailed for grooming pupil
A former teacher has been jailed for six years for the "highly destructive betrayal of trust" of a 16-year-old pupil he groomed to have sex with
Last updated 20th Feb 2026
A former Southampton teacher's been jailed for six years for grooming a pupil in what a judge described as a "destructive betrayal of trust".
Edward Waller was head of history at St Anne's School when he invited the 16 year old to his home and assaulted her.
The 66-year-old appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court where he was convicted of sexual activity with a child.
The victim told the court: "I was a child looking for safety and love, he saw that and exploited it."
She also said that "feelings of guilt haunt me until this day".
The complainant was aged 16 to 17 when he befriended her before sending her sexual messages including naked photographs of himself.
He invited her to his home saying he had a Christmas present for her before having sexual intercourse with her.
Judge Michael Bowes KC told the defendant: "This was a gross and highly destructive betrayal of trust by you. You were 30 years her senior and you had a moral and legal duty to protect her."
He said that Waller had portrayed his victim as a "liar and a fraud" and had "coerced" her into not revealing the abuse at the time.
He said: "She has described the deep and lasting harm you have caused her."
The judge added: "You have not expressed any genuine remorse for your offences."
He also made Waller subject to an indefinite restraining order not to contact the complainant.
Julia McSorley, specialist prosecutor for the CPS's Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, said: "Edward Waller used his position as a teacher to manipulate and groom a pupil who was entrusted into his care.
"In the selfish pursuit of his own sexual gratification, he burdened her with the significant and lasting effects of this offending, the impact remains ongoing."