A former teacher at a Southampton school has been jailed for sexual offences against a teenage girl.

Edward George Waller, 66, of Winter Road, Southsea, had denied offences that related to his time as a teacher at St Anne’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Southampton.

But on Wednesday 3 December, a jury found him guilty of one count of sexual activity with a child by a person in position of trust, and two counts of being a person in a position of trust causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Today (Friday 20 February), at Portsmouth Crown Court, Waller was jailed for six years.

He will be placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.

The court heard that the offences took place when Waller was a history teacher at the school and the girl was aged between 16 and 17 years old.

He gave a vulnerable female pupil his mobile number and after a short period, his messages became inappropriate and sexual, including sending naked images of himself.

The court heard that Waller later invited the girl to his home and had sex with her.

Today in court, the victim read out a statement detailing how Waller’s offending continues to impact her life, including her ability to form relationships, as well as the difficulty in having to relive her experience during the trial.

She continued: “I want to be clear: I didn’t give evidence to hurt him. I did it for myself. These events have haunted me and I needed the closure I never got then. I’m not there yet — I’m deeply scarred by what happened then and by having to relive it now — but I believe I finally have a chance to heal in a way I couldn’t have without telling the truth.

“I write this on behalf of a vulnerable teenager who was simply looking for safety and love, who did not deserve what happened to her and who has carried shame that does not belong to her for far too long.”

In 2023, an investigation was carried out by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Operation Marmion team, who investigate allegations of non-recent sexual abuse perpetrated within institutions or by people of prominence.

Speaking after the hearing, officer in the case Detective Constable Laura Hardie said: “The survivor of this abuse was a vulnerable teenage girl at the time. She was abused by someone she should have been able to trust – a teacher at her own school.

“She has shown incredible bravery in having to talk about what happened in court. I would also like to thank the witnesses who came forward in this case. Their support, along with the support of the victim, ensured Waller has now been brought to justice.

“We want anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to come forward, no matter when the offence took place. You will be listened to by specially trained officers and the matters will be investigated.

“If you are not ready to report a crime, there are a number of different types of support available and you can decide what to do next.”

To report abuse, contact police on 101 where you can speak to an officer in confidence.

For more information on how to report crimes to us, or details of support services that are available, please visit our website – https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/rape-sexual-assault-support/

Anyone impacted by sexual abuse or any other crime, can access free, confidential and independent help and support by contacting the Victim Care Hub on 0808 178 1641 or Hub.hiow@victimsupport.org.uk Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm.

Outside of those times, or if you live outside Hampshire, you can call 0808 168 9111 or visit the Victim Support website.