Simon Montgomery, a former teacher at Cranbrook, has been sentenced to prison for sexually abusing a student in the 1980s.
Simon Montgomery abused his authority as a boarding school housemaster and science instructor to regularly molest a young child entrusted to his care.
Simon Montgomery instructed at the institution formerly known as Dulwich College Preparatory School.
He commenced the grooming of his victim by instructing him to remain after class, subsequently presenting him with pornographic publications.
This escalated to multiple occurrences of sexual abuse in both the classroom and at a neighbouring athletic facility.
In December 2022, allegations were reported to Kent Police, resulting in the arrest of Simon Montgomery. He admitted to investigators during interrogations, affirming the victim’s identity prior to being prompted.
Simon Montgomery, residing on Littlefield Road in Rainham, Gillingham, was accused with two counts of indecent assault and gross indecency involving a minor.
A further charge was added of making indecent images of a child, in connection with material found on one of his digital devices.
The 70-year-old pleaded guilty and on 19 December 2024 was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to three years and four months’ imprisonment.
He was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.
Detective Constable Emma Coghlan said:
‘Whilst Simon Montgomery appears to have shown genuine remorse for his actions, sex offenders like him wreak incalculable damage on their victims, many who will suffer in silence for years, or throughout their whole lives.
‘Thankfully in this case the victim has shown extraordinary courage to come forward. This sentence will clearly not take away the emotional and physical trauma he was forced to endure as a child, but it will hopefully bring some closure.
‘I would also like to remind anyone who has been a victim of abuse that it is never too late to report any sexual offence. You will be supported by specially trained, compassionate and understanding officers throughout the process, and we always treat any information with the utmost confidence and sensitivity.’
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.