Teacher at private schools admits sexual abuse and exploitation of children
A private school teacher has been branded “a predator of the worst kind” after admitting the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
Sam Phillips, a former teacher at Belmont Preparatory School, pleaded guilty to 38 charges against six vulnerable children when he appeared at Harrow Crown Court on October 30. His case came to public attention following his arrest on March 11, 2024.
Phillips was employed at Belmont Preparatory School in Mill Hill, North London, from 2017 until March 2021. Following Phillips’ departure, police officers were contacted in relation to the wellbeing of a child who had been sexually exploited.
Officers uncovered two more children who had also been groomed by Phillips and traced payments made to the children from Phillips’ bank account. He was subsequently arrested.
The charges include:
- Six counts of sexual communication with a child
- 24 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- Eight counts of making indecent photographs.
These charges reveal the extent of his manipulative behaviour. In response to the guilty plea, Chief Superintendent Sara Leach condemned Phillips as “a predator of the worst kind”.
Acting Detective Sergeant Maria Giannakidou also emphasised the importance of the victims’ bravery in coming forward, stating: “Their strength in sharing their experiences is invaluable in holding those responsible to account.”
A spokesperson for The Mill Hill School Foundation expressed shock and reiterated its commitment to the safety and well-being of students.
At Bolt Burdon Kemp my team and I have represented many survivors of abuse, and I always encourage someone to report their experiences to the police as their first port of call.
However, many people are not aware they may also be entitled to compensation through the civil courts for what happened to them. A civil claim for compensation can enable survivors to access funding for therapy and losses as a result of abuse they have experienced.
My team and I are passionate about supporting survivors through this process so they can receive the compensation that they deserve. If you have been abused and you want to understand more about how civil claims work, please contact me.
