Jail for 'predatory' paedophile former teacher

A "wolf in sheep's clothing" paedophile has been jailed after pleading guilty to seven charges of abusing three schoolboys.

Former teacher Chris Fox, 39, from Pinehurst in Swindon, previously worked at various schools in the town and ran an archery school called Black Cat Archery.

On Thursday Fox was jailed for more than five years at Swindon Crown Court by Judge Jason Taylor, and given four more years on licence.

Fox - who even lied that he had cancer to gain trust - admitted to the charges of engaging in sexual activity with a child on 13 April.

The sentencing was told his crimes were committed against teenage boys in 2017, 2021 and 2022

Statements from his victims were read out at the sentencing hearing, with one describing him as "parasitic".

The judge said Fox had befriended the boys and gained their trust, even offering them alcohol, vapes and condoms. He also lied, saying he had testicular cancer.

Judge Taylor added Fox "cynically and manipulatively took advantage of the relationships" for sexual gratification.

He said he could not accept that Fox, who he described as a "predatory wolf in sheep's clothing" was "genuinely remorseful".

"Your belief that you were merely inappropriate is concerning. You targeted three separate boys over years and I think would have continued," the judge said.

"You pose a significant risk to teenage boys in the possible commission of further offences."

One victim - who said they had spent nearly three years in therapy - said his encounters with Fox were his "first experience of sex and love" which he cannot get back. He said Fox also had turned him against his own family.

Another described the toll it had taken on his mental health, including causing anxiety attacks.

He added: "I trusted him [Fox] and he took advantage of me. No matter how many times people tell me it's not my fault, I still feel it."

That victim said he had kept his suffering a secret for many years, and was left feeling "alone, trapped, stupid and naive".

Another victim, who Fox gave money to, said he would always be reminded that "he was giving me things that my parents couldn't".

He added he had been made to believe he was "special" at primary school, but then things became sexual when he was older. He was scared to tell his parents how "this person we trusted did these things to me" and "felt such a relief" when he spoke to the police.

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