A former teacher who worked at Eton College has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a student. Jacob Leland, who taught Russian at the school’s Modern Languages Department from 2010 to 2012, was convicted today on three counts of sexual assault. The trial at Reading Crown Court revealed that Leland had engaged in inappropriate behavior, including performing oral sex on the student. While acquitted of 11 charges, Leland’s actions were condemned by Simon Henderson, the current headmaster of Eton, who expressed deep regret and issued apologies to those affected.
Henderson emphasized the breach of trust caused by Leland’s actions and announced that Eton would undergo an external review in response to the incident. He acknowledged the serious nature of the abuse and the delay in uncovering the details, offering heartfelt apologies to the victims. Henderson commended the courage of those who came forward and assured continued support for them.
The trial heard accounts of Leland’s misconduct, including instances where he engaged in inappropriate physical contact with students. One former pupil described how Leland would enter their rooms, initiate wrestling matches, and exert significant pressure during these interactions.
In a statement, Henderson stressed the importance of addressing past offenses and learning from them to enhance safeguarding measures at Eton. He affirmed the school’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of its students and collaborating with external authorities when necessary. An external review will be conducted to understand the case better and provide recommendations for the future.
Emphasizing the collective responsibility for safeguarding, Henderson underscored the need for an open and supportive environment where concerns can be raised without hesitation. Leland is scheduled to be sentenced on December 11.