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Ex-St Anne’s Teacher Convicted of Grooming and Sexual Activity with Pupil

The case followed a Hampshire Police investigation with prosecution by the CPS’s specialist child sexual abuse unit.

Overview

  • A Portsmouth Crown Court jury on 3 December found Edward Waller, 66, guilty of one count of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
  • Jurors acquitted Waller of rape, returning mixed verdicts after a contested trial.
  • The offences related to conduct in 2004–2006 when the former St Anne’s history teacher targeted a student aged 16 to 17.
  • Prosecutors said Waller groomed the pupil through private messages, sexting and nude images, and invited her to his home in December 2005 where sexual activity occurred.
  • Waller, of Southsea, Hampshire, denied any sexual contact and is scheduled for sentencing on 5 February 2026 at Portsmouth Crown Court.