Former assistant headteacher jailed for child sex offences
Terence Burke - who now lives in Swindon - taught history at Falmouth School
Last updated 14th Jul 2023
A former assistant headteacher has been jailed for child sex offences in Cornwall.
75 year old Terence Burke - who now lives in Swindon -abused two teenagers in the early 2000s while he was the safeguarding lead at Falmouth School.
He's been sentenced to 18 years in prison this afternoon at Truro Crown Court and also placed on the sex offender's register.
The two women involved in the case have only been identified as Child A and Child B - 10 years of his sentence relate to offences committed against Child B, and the other 8 for offences against Child A.
In one of the victim's impact statements, she said 'No one should ever have to go through what he did to me.'
The judge noted in his summing up 'It is clear you abused your position... cont given your role as the safeguarding lead at the school, it is hard to think of a more serious breach of trust.'
Devon and Cornwall Police's investigative officer Detective Constable Isabelle Woodall said: “I am delighted by today’s outcome and sentence which I sincerely hope will bring a sense of justice to the victims.
“These were appalling offences committed against some of the vulnerable schoolgirls that Mr Burke, as assistant head teacher and safeguarding lead at Falmouth School, was tasked to protect, and constitutes a gross breach of trust.
“Today’s result is a testament to the bravery of the victims and witnesses who assisted with the investigation and attended court to give evidence.
“Whilst nothing will change the impact of this man’s offences on our victims, It is my hope that they will now be able to put these awful events behind them and move on with their lives.”
An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Burke exploited his position of trust as an assistant head teacher to sexually abuse pupils who had been placed in his care. These crimes can have a devastating and long-term impact on the victims, and the women in this case have shown immense bravery in coming forward and reporting what happened.
“We hope that they are now getting all the support that they need, and they can find some comfort following Burke’s sentencing today. It is so important that anyone who has experienced sexual abuse knows who they can speak to and is confident they will be listened to.”
Children and young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111, and adults with concerns about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 8005000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk