Teacher who groomed and abused girl, 12, sentenced

Mark Baker committed the offences in the 1990s while working in Worcester

A teacher has been sentenced for non-recent sex abuse of a 12-year-old pupil when he worked at a school in Worcestershire during the 1990s.

Mark Baker, 53, of Haws Hill in Lancashire, was formerly employed by The River School in Worcester and was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court.

He previously pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16 and on Tuesday was handed a community order for 24 months.

Baker was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation course for 50 days, carry out unpaid work for 180 hours, and placed on the sex offenders register for five years.

His arrest came after the incident was reported in July 2024, resulting in an investigation by Worcester's Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) team.

DS Kirsty Hickling said: "Baker abused his position of trust to groom a young girl and went on to sexually abuse her.

"No child should ever feel unsafe or experience harm at the hands of someone who is supposed to care for them and is in a position of trust.

"I commend the victim in this case for her bravery in coming forward."

She added: "I hope this investigation shows people that we take all reports of sexual abuse seriously, no matter how long ago it happened.

"They deserve the chance to be heard and have their case brought before the court."