Former teacher convicted of indecent assault found dead by train tracks
A former teacher at a UK prep school is thought to have killed himself by jumping in front of a train just two days before he was due to be sentenced for sex crimes.
Hugh Henry (aged 82) from Amersham, Buckinghamshire, who had pleaded guilty to offences of indecent assault and gross indecency, was expected to be sentenced tomorrow.
Thames Valley Police said: “A body, believed to be that of Hugh Henry, was struck by a train close to Amersham London Underground station on Tuesday, February 4.
“Henry’s next of kin have been informed and the incident is being investigated by British Transport Police.”
Henry was due to be sentenced with Roland Peter Wright (aged 83) from Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire, who assaulted five pupils aged eight to 13 at Caldicott Boys’ Preparatory School between 1959 and 1970.
Wright was found guilty of 12 counts by a jury at Amersham Crown Court in December, having previously been found not guilty of three offences at an earlier trial.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg spoke of his shock after Wright was convicted of the historic child sex offences.
Mr Clegg, who was joint head boy at Caldicott in 1980, told The Times that he was “shocked and appalled by the gross betrayal and violation of childhood innocence shown to have taken place”.
He added: “These reports will disturb everyone, but most especially those, like myself, who were pupils at the school and were entirely unaware that such abuse was taking place.
“I can only imagine the devastating impact that such abuse must have had on the young boys who were affected. My heart goes out to them.”
Sentencing of Wright, who was charged with 10 counts of indecent assault on a male and two of indecency with a child between 1959 and 1970, is expected to proceed despite Henry’s death.
The offences were carried out while Wright was working as a teacher and later headmaster at the school in Farnham Royal.
Henry (aged 82) of Pomeroy Close, Amersham, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of indecency with or towards a child, and two counts of gross indecency with a child.
Another former teacher, John Addrison (aged 54) from Slough in Berkshire, pleaded guilty to offences of indecent assault and indecency with a child and was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment at Aylesbury Crown Court in November 2012.
He will remain on the sex offenders register for life.
David Geddes (aged 71) from Upper Wield, Hampshire, was acquitted by a jury at a re-trial in March last year, after being charged with four counts of indecent assault on a child under 16.
A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: “BTP officers were called to the line close to Amersham London Underground (LU) station on Tuesday, February 4 after a report that a man had been struck by a train.
“Officers from BTP and Thames Valley Police attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 6.27pm and is currently being treated as non-suspicious.
“Medics from the South Central Ambulance Service also attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The man’s family have been informed and a file will be prepared for the Coroner.”
