IT HAS been revealed that the Worcester teacher charged with attempted sexual communication with a child, also volunteered as a group leader for a scouting organisation. 

It has come to light that Robert Howe, 34, the former geography teacher from Tudor Grange Academy, was also a group leader for the Scouts Worcester Explorers.

The Scout Association has confirmed he has since been suspended from his role.

The statement said: “The Scout Association is aware of recent court proceedings involving Robert Howe. As soon as the Police made us aware of their concerns about Howe he was suspended from scouting”.

The statement confirmed it had not found any connection with the charges and the organisation.  

The statement said: “We have seen no evidence at this stage to suggest that any of Howe’s alleged offending was connected with his time in the Scout movement.

The safety of all our members is our number one priority. It is at the heart of our decision-making. 

“We carry out stringent vetting of all adults who work with young people and work together with statutory agencies and other parties to share relevant information to ensure the safeguarding of young people in scouting.”

The statement added: “We require everyone at Scouts to work to a strict code outlined in the ‘Young People First’ Code of Practice. See http://www.scouts.org.uk/safeguarding”.

Tudor Grange Academy has also outlined that all alleged offences were committed outside of school and Howe passed all “rigorous” background checks.

Scout Explorers makes up the fourth section of the Scouts and works with children from the age of 14.

Mr Howe attended court on May 20, on a charge of attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to facilitate a sexual offence between April 13 and 21 this year. His bail conditions include no voluntary work or unsupervised access with anyone under the age of 16 and no communication with them online and on social media.
The case was referred to crown court and is due to go ahead on June 17.