Nigel Leat: Paedophile teacher to face public parole hearing

Nigel Leat was jailed in 2011 after admitting 36 offences including attempted rape

A primary school teacher who filmed himself sexually abusing his pupils is to face another parole hearing, which will be held in public.

Nigel Leat, 63, carried out attacks on five young girls over the course of five years at Hillside First School in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

He was jailed in 2011 and was first released in 2020, only to be recalled in 2021 for breaching his licence.

He is facing a new parole hearing in March which will be public.

Leat, also known by the surname Russell, admitting 36 offences including attempted rape of a child and sexual assault.

'Detrimental to rehabilitation'

Leat was first released from prison in December 2020 having been found "suitable for release" but was recalled to prison in March 2021 for breaching his licence conditions.

According to Parole Board documents he was "accessing concerning material on the internet linked to his continuing sexual interest in children".

"Following his return to custody, various items of concern were found in his cell.

On 7 February, 2022 a panel of the Parole Board found that Mr Leat's recall to custody was appropriate," the Parole Board said.

"That panel did not direct his release or recommend Mr Leat for open conditions."

Leat's case was again referred to the Parole Board in January last year and a fresh oral hearing has been ordered, which has been listed for 18 March.

'Star pupils'

He objected to the hearing being held in public as it "could be detrimental to his rehabilitation" and "may result in increased risk to him" and expose his current identity.

"The stress of a public hearing may impact on Mr Leat's health.

"Mr Leat would be questioned on private matters and could not be as open in a public forum," Parole Board documents state.

"Mr Leat is remorseful and a public hearing could impact on his victims."

Caroline Corby, chair of the Parole Board, rejected Leat's objections and said that in the "interests of justice" the "high bar" threshold had been met for a public hearing.

"Mr Leat was in a position of trust as a teacher and his offending was extensive.

"It is in the interests of justice that the public see how the board assesses risks in a case such as this," she said.

A court sketch showing Nigel Leat back in 2011

Ms Corby said: "The Parole Board has not yet held a public hearing for a prisoner convicted of child sexual offences.

"There is increased scrutiny regarding the safety of women and girls, which is relevant to the issues in this case.

"Mr Leat was recalled back to custody for concerning behaviour four months after being released.

"It is in the interests of justice for the public to understand how the Parole Board deals with these types of cases."

Leat used to identify "star pupils" and shower them with gifts before abusing them in one-to-one reading sessions at the school.

The father-of-two would then molest girls as young as six as they practised their reading aloud in class.

Leat could be heard in the films referring to the girls as "sweetie pie" and "darling" and asking them how much they loved him.

When he was arrested by police, officers found more than 30,000 indecent photographs and more than 700 movies in his possession.

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