Reading lie detector used in sex abuse case
A Reading lie detector test could have been used to help police in a recent sex abuse case. A teacher was recently convicted of having sex with underaged pupils.
The case
A former teacher acted with “aggression” in a sexual act involving a vulnerable pupil in his car. Glass is now seving a ban on the profession for life. The Teaching Regulation Agency gave Oliver Glass the teaching ban after he received charges of sex abuse in 2020.
Abuse of trust
Glass, 35, from Sheffield, admitted three counts of adult abuse of position of trust. He admitted to causing/inciting sexual activity with a child between 13 and 17-years-old. Glass will be serving 22 weeks imprisonment. He acted as head of mathematics at the school in Reading, which is not named by the TRA due to legal reasons.
Inappropriate communications
Notes from the TRA misconduct panel said: “At some point, Mr Glass started to communicate with Pupil A. The communication took place via a non-school email address and other private social media applications. This escalated to sexual contact. The offences in question relate to three separate sexual activities with Pupil A. The offences took place in Mr Glass’ car and involved aggressive acts on his part.
Banned from teaching
“The panel knew that public confidence in the profession would be seriously weakened. Therefore the case against Mr Glass was treated with the utmost seriousness.
“However, given the nature of the allegations in this case the panel concluded that there was not a strong public interest consideration in retaining him in the profession.
“The panel was of the view that, applying the standard of the ordinary intelligent citizen, it would not be a proportionate and appropriate response to recommend no prohibition order.”
Arrested
The TRA report into the case states that he made a decision to resign before a report was made by a pupil saying she was a victim of sexual activity with Glass.
Officers at Reading Police were arresting Glass on the same day. The school also suspended him the following day. He was given a sentence 2020 before receiving a judgement on October 7, 2020.
The report included some of the sentencing remarks made in court when Glass was handed his punishment. The Reading Court described his acts as “particularly unpleasant”.
Grooming the vulnerable
The judge added: “She was a particularly vulnerable child; and child, she was. You set up a private email account, so that you could communicate with her off the school system.
“Firstly, you did that as part of a grooming process. Secondly, the emails you were sending her contained innapropriate language that you didn’t want the school to see. Finally, you contacted her through other social media.”
A risk to children
Furthermore, the panel said that should Glass not receive a ban from teaching there is a risk of him doing the same again. The order aims to protect children from him, by stopping him from teaching again.
The panel’s comments read: “In these proceedings, there was little evidence of regret, remorse or insight on the part of Mr Glass. To the contrary, from Mr Glass’ limited engagement in these proceedings, it appeared he focussed on himself and his desire to move on with his life.”
The report
The report made by Sarah Buxcey, says: “Mr Glass is guilty of three offences. All offences were of sexual activity with a vulnerable pupil in his care. These actions were fundamentally incompatible with his being a teacher.
“This was conduct of the most serious nature. The nature and gravity of these offences was a matter of significant concern.”
Ms Buxcey’s decision meant that Glass is “not to teach ever again and in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.” He is also not entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.
How a lie detector test could have helped
To conclude, Police are now looking to implement more polygraph testing at their arrest and interrogation stages. Adding a lie detector test into these stages ensures that police have an extra indicator when making a decision on whether a suspect is guilty or not. The added scientific test means police have more evidence and facts to take into their final opinion and charges. A lie detector test in this case could have helped prevent further abuse by acting as a deterrent. Convicted sex offenders are now taking regular polygraph tests to ensure they don’t repeat offend once released back into the community. This has offered communities some reassurance about sex offenders being amongst their community.
If you suspect someone you know is suffering from abuse book a test online today. You can also call us on our free helpline on 07572 748364.
We provide confidential office appointments and home tests throughout the South East.
