School music teacher, 40, who had sex with two underage girls aged 13 and 14 is facing jail after being convicted of 32 sexual offences
- Ben Breakwell groomed the two girls and set up seedy encounters at his home
- He began a full sexual relationship with two of his victims and targeted a third
- On one occasion he kissed her in the classroom and was eventually suspended
A school music teacher who had sex with two underage girls aged 13 and 14 is facing jail after he was convicted of 32 sexual offences.
Cambridge graduate Ben Breakwell, 40, groomed the two girls and set up a series of seedy encounters at his home while working at a secondary school in London.
Isleworth Crown Court heard how the professional singer abused his position as a music teacher to engage his young pupils in sexual activity.
Breakwell began a full sexual relationship with two of his victims and he also targeted a third girl during lessons.
One one occasion he kissed her in the classroom. She was upset and later told her friends and then her mother who confronted Breakwell.
The victim later told police that she felt guilty about what had happened as she had bought him a box of sweets as a thank you present and thought that this may have encouraged him.
Cambridge graduate Ben Breakwell (pictured), 40, groomed the two girls and set up a series of seedy encounters at his home while working at a secondary school in London
The friends of one of the victims approached one of Breakwell's colleagues in September 2017 and told him of their suspicions.
The school immediately suspended him, police were alerted and an investigation began, led by specialist officers from the West Area Command Unit.
Breakwell was arrested in November 2017.
A search of his computer uncovered indecent images of another victim who did not live in this country.
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The perverted teacher was charged with a catalogue of offences in February 2020, but denied that any sexual relationship had taken place between him and the girls.
He branded the claims 'fantasy' and could have been lifted from Fifty Shades of Grey.
Breakwell, who now lives in Monkgate, York, denied but was convicted of 22 charges of sexual activity with a child, three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, four charges of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust, a count of sexual assault, and two allegations of taking indecent photographs of a child.
Isleworth Crown Court (pictured) heard how the professional singer abused his position as a music teacher to engage his young pupils in sexual activity
The offences dated from his time teaching at the school between 2014 and 2017.
According to the prosecution the offences involved kissing, intimate touching and more serious acts including oral sex.
Breakwell was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at the same court on a date to be determined.
Detective Constable Ben Lawrence-Smith said: 'My thoughts are with the young girls who were betrayed by Breakwell. They have all been incredibly brave and it is their courage in speaking out that has brought him to justice.
'Breakwell deceived and abused these girls and then sought to evade any responsibility for his actions. They were manipulated to the point where some felt it was they who were doing wrong. The fact Breakwell was a teacher only compounds this gross betrayal of trust.
'It is clear that Breakwell was a sexual predator who carefully manipulated these young girls in order to exploit them. His victims were very young and he led them to believe they were in love with him, knowing that if they cared for him they were less likely to alert anyone to his crimes.
'It can be difficult for victims of sexual offences, especially when their abusers are people in positions of power and trust, to speak out. I would ask that if you suspect anyone to be at risk from similar manipulation and abuse, please tell someone, either a parent, a carer or someone in authority.
'Due to the predatory nature of Breakwell's crimes, it is possible there are further victims who have yet to come forward. If you or someone you know has been affected by Breakwell's offending, or you have been a victim of a sexual offence, please come forward to police. Specially trained officers will be there to listen and support all allegations and work to bring offenders to justice.'
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