Former Southampton Teacher Jailed for Six Years After Sexual Abuse of Pupil at St Anne’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College

A former teacher from Southampton has been jailed for sexually abusing a teenage pupil while working at a local Catholic school.

Edward George Waller, 66, of Winter Road, Southsea, was convicted of offences committed during his time as a history teacher at St Anne’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College.

Waller had denied the charges, but on Wednesday 3 December a jury found him guilty of one count of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust, and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity while in a position of trust.

On Friday 20 February, at Portsmouth Crown Court, Waller was sentenced to six years in prison and will be placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.

The court heard that the offences occurred when the girl was aged between 16 and 17. Waller gave the vulnerable pupil his mobile number and, after a short time, began sending inappropriate and sexual messages, including naked images of himself. He later invited her to his home, where sexual activity took place.

In a victim impact statement read in court, the woman described how the abuse has continued to affect her life, including her ability to form relationships and the trauma of reliving the events during the trial. She said:

“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 20 years ago. 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.”

The investigation was carried out in 2023 by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Operation Marmion team, which investigates allegations of non-recent sexual abuse within institutions or by people in positions of prominence.

Detective Constable Laura Hardie, the officer in the case, 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.”

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

For more information on how to report crimes, or details of support services that are available, please visit the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website.

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.