Sicko teacher met and groomed child, 13, on dating site

A sick teacher who met and groomed a 13-year-old boy on a dating site has been banned from teaching for life. Ian Cornish, 70, pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court to meeting a boy under 16 following grooming, arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

He was sentenced to four years in prison, made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years and added to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life on January 10, 2023. The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) confirmed on Thursday (September 3) that Cornish has now been banned from the profession for his crime.

It means Cornish cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

A panel of TRA members heard how Cornish met the boy on a dating site where he chatted about sex for several months.

They heard Cornish knew the boy was under 16 and that the messages led to meetings and “sexual activity”. The boy did not go to Ewell Castle, a private day school in Surrey where Cornish worked.

Cornish didn’t show any remorse over what he did or concern for the youngster, instead he complained about how he had been affected by his own offences.

A report sent to Education Secretary Lucy Powell said: “Mr Cornish at no point acknowledged any remorse, regret or concern.

“In sum, Mr Cornish has displayed no insight into the severity or impact of his behaviour”.

The panel found there was a “real risk” Cornish could repeat his behaviour.

Its members considered there was “no doubt” about Cornish’s ability as a teacher, that he had a previously “unblemished” record and was of “good” character before his convictions.

But they also found his actions were “deliberate”, he was not suffering “serious duress” at the time and his actions were a clear breach of teaching standards.

TRA Chief Executive, Marc Cavey, confirmed Cornish breached public trust in teaching, failed his professional duties as well as his former school’s policies and practices.

Cornish has a right to appeal to the High Court within 28 days.