Fake Coventry teacher jailed for sex abuse of boy, 15

A fake teacher who lied about his qualifications to gain access to children at a Coventry school has been jailed.



Coventry Crown Court heard Steven Bartlett lied about his professional credentials in order to groom a boy with learning difficulties into having sex with him when he was just 15.

Yesterday, he was jailed indefinitely for the protection of the public.

Judge Philip Gregory, sitting at Coventry Crown Court, ruled the 33-year-old would not be released until it was proven he was no longer a risk.

Bartlett pleaded guilty to eight counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two counts of fraud.

Prosecutor Steven Thomas told the court that Bartlett faked references for a recruitment agency which found him work at a Coventry school as a supply English teacher and teaching assistant.

He then set up his own recruitment agency to secure more work at the school.

It was only when he later took a permanent position at the school that he was pressed for his qualifications and documentation.

At this time, allegations about his relationship with his victim had already been made to the police.

Mr Thomas explained Bartlett had known his victim since he was 10 years old but it wasn’t until the boy was 14 that anything untoward took place.

He said: “When he was 14 or 15, (the boy) had questions about his own sexuality.

“He was also autistic. He was a vulnerable young man... The defendant took advantage of him.”

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