Ex-teacher jailed for 3 years for sex offences

Cayman Islands courthouse, George Town

(CNS): A former drama teacher at a local school has been sentenced to a total of three years in jail by a Grand Court judge following his conviction for indecently assaulting three male teenage students at the school where he worked. Delroy James, who is a Jamaican national, will also be deported after he has completed his jail term. Facing five different charges relating to grooming, touching, showing the teens porn and inappropriate sexual conversations over a twelve month period, the longest sentence he was given was four and a half years.However, James was given a full discount for his early admission, leaving a term of three years. The teacher also received three two-year terms for other assaults and an eight month term in connection with the possession of an indecent picture of one of the boys he had assaulted. (See related story)

Justice Charles Quin ordered that all of the sentences should run concurrently and that the ten months James has spent in Northward since he was remanded in custody following his first appearance in court should be taken into account.

While the judge noted that the sexual assaults were by no means the most serious, he raised his concern about the long-term impact on his teenage victims as he urged the parents of the boys concerned as well as the authorities to ensure the young victims get the support they needed.

He also outlined the significant number of aggravating factors in the case which included breach of trust, the sustained offending, the fact he was in a position of authority, the disparity of age, grooming and that the assaults took place at the school, which cannot be named as a result of a court order. But the judge accepted that his early guilty plea, his previous good character and his remorse and shame were mitigating factors.

The judge added that, given his professional position and a long teaching career, the defendant must have realized that his behaviour was “inappropriate, improper and unlawful”.

The judge also highlighted the pressing need for a sexual offenders’ treatment programme in Cayman to treat such offenders. He said that this issue had been noted on numerous occasions by social workers and the courts.

“It is a matter of some urgency that this programme is introduced at the prison,” Justice Quin said as he delivered his ruling, adding that there were numerous offenders in need of such treatment.

He noted that James was receiving psychiatric treatment in the jail as a result of his own mental health issues that he has had since he was remanded in custody but the judge urged further treatment for James regarding his victims.