Ex-headteacher jailed for 22 years after years of child rape and abuse exposed

Sickening abuse in a position of trust! An 84-year-old former headteacher, David John Hampshire, has been caged for a shocking 22 years and eight months after subjecting children to appalling sexual abuse, including raping a vulnerable five-year-old for a staggering eight years.

Hampshire, from Pickering, North Yorkshire, used to run an Anglo-Indian school and later worked at a Norfolk high school, hiding his monstrous behaviour behind a veneer of respectability. His perverted past finally caught up with him when his first brave victim came forward in December 2022. A painstaking, seven-month police probe found a mountain of evidence, including damning material on his computer, unmasking years of his vile crimes.

In court, chilling victim statements painted a picture of devastation. One survivor, now older, spoke of overwhelming “numbness” and lifelong scars, struggling to enjoy healthy relationships. Another described the relentless trauma’s shadow, from innocent childhood to the present day. The pain also extended to families, with one mother describing sleepless nights and constant worry for her child’s well-being.

Disturbingly, Hampshire initially denied everything, prolonging his victims’ agony. But in April, he finally admitted to a string of charges. The judge heard evidence of past attacks as horrific as this: Hampshire even targeted a three-year-old child previously.

North Yorkshire Police praised the immense bravery of all victims, making it clear this is a stark warning: no matter how long ago the abuse took place, those responsible will finally face justice. Detective Constable Lucie Welford slammed Hampshire as “an incredibly dangerous offender who has shown absolutely no remorse.” She urged other potential victims, no matter their age or when it happened, to have their voices heard: “You will be believed and supported.”

Police are urging anyone who suspects child abuse—even if you’re just worried about a child—to come forward. In an emergency, call 999. If not urgent, contact North Yorkshire Police for confidential support. As the nation reels from yet another scandal in a supposedly safe environment, one burning question remains: How many other predators are still hiding in plain sight?