Former Norfolk teacher sentenced for historical sex offences against boys

A former Norfolk teacher has been sentenced to 25 years after admitting a string of sexual offences against boys dating back more than 30 years.

The offences took place during the late 1980s and early 1990s and involved Castles abusing boys he would meet through his job as a teacher. All involved boys under the age of 16.

Tyrone Castles, 59, of Penrith, Cumbria, was sentenced by Judge Shaw at Norwich Crown Court (Friday 17 September) to 24 years in prison and one year on licence.

Sentencing Castles, Judge Shaw referred to him as 'an offender of particular concern'. He will also be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Castles had previously pleaded guilty in August to five sex offences. Seven remaining charges for similar offences were ordered to lie on file.

Described by one of the victims as "dominating and frightening”, Castles would often win the trust of parents by befriending them in order to carry out his abuse. Castles would have special relationships with the boys he abused, often giving them preferential treatment.

The investigation was launched after police received information about alleged abuse at Glebe House School in Hunstanton. As a result of the information received in late 2018, police reached out to several potential victims, many of whom agreed to give evidence and provide statements.

In February 2019, detectives travelled to Cumbria and arrested Castles at his home before taking him to a local station for questioning. In police interview, he denied the allegations.

Castles was interviewed for a second time in June 2020 as a voluntary attender where again, he denied further allegations of abuse which were put to him. He told officers the victims were ‘wrong’ and that he ‘looked after and cared for’ the boys.

He was later charged with 15 offences relating to the sexual abuse of boys. Police welcomed the sentence.

Police said Castles groomed boys and befriended their parents to avoid suspicion.

Castles was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.