Christopher Darler

A DEPUTY headteacher described as a "predator" and a "wolf in sheep's clothing" has been jailed for ten years after he raped a boy and possessed indecent images of children.

Christopher Darler, who taught at Rawmarsh Community School, raped a 13-year-old boy, who was not a pupil at the school, in September.

The 37-year-old former geography teacher, of Heyhouse Way, Sheffield, admitted two counts of rape at a previous hearing at Sheffield Crown Court and was jailed for ten years today (Monday).

Judge Peter Kelson said: "You were a wolf in sheep's clothing and you used your sheep's clothing to full effect.

"You were a predator and you took your fantasies into the real world."

As well as the rape offences, which were committed in Barnsley, Darler admitted to meeting the boy following grooming, three counts of making indecent photographs of a child, one count of possession of a prohibited image of a child and one count of distributing indecent photographs of children.

DC James Crossley, from South Yorkshire Police’s internet sex offences team, said: "Darler was in a positon of trust and authority, while, at the same time, preying on a boy of similar age to the children he was trusted to be responsible for.



"This was a fast-paced investigation and the outcome would not have been possible without the cooperation of the victim and his family, who have shown a great deal of bravery over the past few months.



“Although no children from the school where Darler taught were involved in his crimes, this was understandably a very worrying set of circumstances for parents and I commend the school for their continued support and proactive approach with this case.



“I hope the community can take reassurance from the fact this man is now exactly where he belongs and any threat he posed to children in South Yorkshire has been removed.”

A spokesperson for Rawmarsh Community School previously told the Advertiser that Darler had been suspended after he was arrested in October and no longer worked for the school.

"It came as a great shock to us when we were informed Mr Darler had been arrested as part of a police investigation in October 2019 over non-school matters," said the spokesperson.

"He was immediately suspended and is now no longer employed by the school.