A FORMER teacher who was jailed abroad for sex offences against boys has failed to overturn a court order banning him from associating with children.
Andrew Sadler’s career ended in 1995 when a member of staff at Abberley Hall school alleged he had engaged in “improper acts” abroad.
Five years later Sadler, aged 59, of Britannia Square, Barbourne, Worcester, was convicted by a court in Bucharest, Romania, of having sex with a 14-year-old boy and engaging in an obscene act in the presence of a juvenile.
Worcester Crown Court heard he spent 16 months in jail before being deported back to Britain on medical grounds.
But he breached an interim court order not to have children under 18 at his home and was given a full Sexual Offences Prevention Order by city magistrates on November 9, 2007, said David Swinnerton, prosecuting. Sadler, maintained the order was unjust and he was only “helping” a vulnerable 15-year-old boy who visited him.
Quashing his appeal, Judge Andrew Geddes said yesterday Sadler was “an unsatisfactory and incredible witness”.
He added: “It is highly probable the boy was at his home to be groomed for sexual ventures. It is a very similar situation to the one in Romania.”
The SOPO, imposed to prevent serious sexual harm to children in the future, prevents youngsters under 18 entering Sadler’s home and bans him from working with children under 16.
Sadler’s sex abuse in Romania entailed five days in a rented flat with two boys.
He later employed an 18-year-old youth as a gardener who bought along the 15-year-old boy.
The youth smoked cannabis at Sadler’s house and both drank beer and stayed overnight.
Twice Sadler was arrested by police for suspected child abduction, said Mr Swinnerton.
Other investigations centred on sexually activity with a child and allowing his home to be used for drug taking.
But Sadler breached an interim SOPO by allowing the 15-year-old to enter his home again.
Michael Sheath, an ex-probation officer, said Sadler was a paedophile engaged in sex tourism and presented a grave risk to children.
Sadler, now working as a part-time tour guide in Europe, insisted his Romanian convictions were “a sham”.
He met the 18-year-old by chance and employed him to work in his garden at £5 an hour.
He said the 15-year-old had problems with his parents and he found him a new home with a friend.
Sadler said: “I have never gone near a child in my life. I’m not a paedophile and think the whole subject is abhorrent. I was helping the boy purely out of compassion.”
Tom Challinor, defending, alleged evidence at the court in Romania was “tainted”.
“He is a man who has time for youngsters but it is just as likely that he is being targeted himself.”
He added Sadler had a distinguished career in teaching. If he had posed a danger, it would have surfaced.
Sadler was ordered to pay £500 costs.
After the hearing he said he was “flabbergasted” by the result.
“I am going to fight the SOPO,” he said. “I will take it to the (European) Court of Human Rights. This is not the end.”
He added: “This has been going on since 2000 and I want to clear my name, I am innocent.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here