A boarding school teacher who sexually assaulted a student and possessed images of children being abused has avoided jail.
Nick Baldock, who spent five years working at Lancing College near Worthing, West Sussex, touched a student’s bottom at an event in July 2022.
Police then discovered that he had shared details of pupils in a group chat with other men sexually interested in children.
The student was “shocked and confused” after being touched by the 46-year-old teacher, Hove Crown Court heard, and pretended at first that it had not happened.
Following his arrest, Baldock’s devices were seized by officers who found indecent images of children that did not attend the school.
They also discovered non-indecent images of Lancing College pupils that Baldock had shared along with sexualised comments.
The court heard that the history teacher boasted about seeing students in their underwear on the group chat and said “every day is agony” about his position at the school.
He also shared their Snapchat details with a man on WhatsApp, inviting him to add and then communicate with the children.
At Baldock’s sentencing on Thursday, Judge David Rennie said: “Parents have ultimate responsibility for loving their children and keeping them safe from harm.
“Teachers have a similar burden of responsibility.
“You shattered that trust as you placed your own sexual gratification over that.
“You are or should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself,” he added.
Baldock previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault, two counts of publishing an obscene article, three counts of knowingly disclosing personal data without consent and three counts of making indecent images of children.
‘Troubled soul’
Barrister John Hunter, defending Baldock, described him as a “troubled soul” who devoted himself to his job and had no life outside of school.
He said Baldock had genuine remorse and was undergoing counselling to “deal with the demons within”.
Baldock sat in the dock holding prayer beads as he received a 12-month sentence suspended for two years and an eight-year harm prevention order. His family were present in the courtroom.
Judge Rennie added: “You are drawn to images of children being sexually abused; these are not victimless crimes…you are watching young people being traumatised and they must try and cope for the rest of their lives.
“Those images will always be out there.
“One referee refers to you holding a deep religious faith – what a strange way to show it.”
