An ex-headteacher who had a sex chat with a ‘teenage boy’ has avoided prison.
Matthew Bennett, of Charlton Park in Malmesbury, pleaded guilty to attempting sexual communications with a child when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court.
The 47-year-old, who was the headteacher at Clifton High School in Bristol, admitted his crime – which was committed between 2 July 2023 and 5 July 2023.
He was caught after communicating with a fake profile online, which purported to be a 14-year-old boy, for sexual gratification.
The defendant, who is now a director of business consultancy Willows Ethos, was sentenced to a community order at the same court on 3 November.
Bennett must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activity over the next 12 months. He was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £114.
The prosecution applied for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, but District Judge Joanna Dickens decided it was “not necessary or proportionate in all the circumstances”.
Bennett must register as a sex offender for five years.
In a letter to parents, Clifton High School’s chair of governors James Caddy said the news was “distressing”.
He said: “In August 2023, I was informed by the police that Mr Bennett had been arrested on suspicion of attempted sexual communication with a person under the age of eighteen.
“You understand that I was legally unable to report or share anything at the time that may have compromised the police investigation.
“The immediate actions the school took in August 2023 prioritised the safeguarding of our children and followed our robust procedures to keep our community safe and protected.
“This included Mr Bennett having no further contact with or access to the school, specifically pupils.”
