Former teacher sent to prison for child sex offences
Joseph Haffenden has been jailed for 51 months for sexually assaulting two children.
A former primary school teacher has been jailed for sexually assaulting two boys.
32-year-old Joseph Haffenden pleaded guilty in July to six counts of sexual assault by touching and six counts of false imprisonment.
It comes after a report on the 12th of February relating to two nine-year-old boys who had been sexually assaulted between January and February this year.
The boys gave similar accounts of what Haffenden described as a ‘game’ whereby the boys were tickled under their clothing by him with his hands, a feather, and an electric toothbrush.
They told adults what had happened who then reported it to Sussex Police.
Haffenden, of High Street in Lindfield, was arrested and the victims and their families were supported by specialist officers. His property was searched by police who found a number of items suggesting an interest in children and evidence which supported the boy's accounts.
He was suspended from a teaching role and has subsequently been dismissed.
At Lewes Crown Court on Monday the 20th of July, Haffenden admitted the charges.
He was then jailed for 51 months on Thursday the 3rd of September.
Detective Sergeant Ellen Jones said: “Haffenden’s disturbing crimes suggest a clear sexual interest in children that jar alarmingly with his position as a teacher."
“Thanks to the bravery of his victims for reporting his offending, we have been able to bring him to justice and ensure he can pose no further risk to children."
“I would urge any other victims of sexual offending, no matter how long ago, to report online or phone 101, so we can investigate, support you and seek the justice you deserve.”