Ex-teacher banned from profession after sex attacks

A former teacher from Solihull who raped and abused young girls in attacks spanning two decades, has been banned from the profession.

Peter Jenkins, 56, who taught at a school in Hereford, was sentenced to 13 years in jail in August 2022 after admitting 15 charges including rape, indecent assault and unlawful sexual intercourse against multiple victims he met through various interactions, including but not limited to teaching.

His wife Helen Greenham, who while a vicar knew of and failed to disclose to the Church of England her husband's crimes, was barred from the ministry in 2023.

The order preventing Jenkins from ever teaching again was decided by a professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) on 4 December.

The TRA panel heard that Jenkins had been sentenced to seven offences of indecent assault on a female under 14, two offences of intercourse with a girl under 13 and one offence of sexual assault.

He had also admitted three offences of gross indecency with a child under 16, one offence of rape and one offence of attempted indecent assault on a female under 16.

At a Warwick Crown Court hearing in July 2022 he pleaded guilty to the offences against five victims between 1984 and 2005.

Jenkins taught at Whitecross High School. The professional conduct panel heard he "accepted that some of the offending involved pupils he taught".

The offences predated he and his wife's association with St Helen's Church in Solihull where, in 2022, Greenham was still a vicar.

There is no evidence of any criminal behaviour connected to the church.

With regard to her silence over her husband's actions, her removal from public office, in addition to "Prohibition from Ministry for life", reflected "the severity of the misconduct", said the Diocese of Birmingham at the time.

Speaking in 2023 one of Jenkins' victims said she had suffered decades of trauma after being sexually abused by him from the age of 12.

She said at the time Ms Greenham's silence had enabled Jenkins to work with people who could have gone on to become further targets.

On behalf of the TRA panel, David Oatley, said: "In my view, it is necessary to impose a prohibition order in order to maintain public confidence in the profession."

It means Jenkins would be prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children's home in England.

Oatley added: "Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegation found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Jenkins shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach."

Jenkins has a right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days from the date of notice of the order.

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