Schoolteacher Jailed For Book Cupboard Grope

A schoolteacher who molested a 15 year-old girl pupil in a book cupboard has been jailed for nine months.

Andrew Charles Embling, 36, of Coxtie Green Road, Brentwood taught at a secondary school in Hornchurch, Havering, east London.

He pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault by touching on January 10, last year.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard Embling asked the victim to collect some books for him from a cupboard.

She went to the cupboard to look for the books but could not find them.

He then went back to the cupboard with the victim to assist her.

Whilst in the cupboard he sexually assaulted her.

She immediately told a friend what had happened and then informed a teacher.

Embling was suspended with immediate effect and the police and local authority were informed.

Embling was arrested three days later on January 13 and charged over a year later on March 29.

As part of his sentence, he was issued with a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.

Investigating officer Police Constable Clare Henson, from the Metropolitan Police's Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command, said: “Embling abused the trust this student put in him and saw his opportunity to use his position to betray the victim by sexually touching her.

“The young victim has shown great courage and maturity in coming forward and disclosing what happened, and giving evidence against Embling in court.

“I would also like to praise the school for their response to this incident, their assistance during the investigation and the ongoing support they have provided to the students at the school."