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Teacher is jailed for abusing boy pupils

A primary school teacher from the West Midlands who led a double life as a "manipulative and deceptive" paedophile has been jailed for six years for sexually abusing three pupils.

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A primary school teacher from the West Midlands who led a double life as a "manipulative and deceptive" paedophile has been jailed for six years for sexually abusing three pupils.

Josef Norford, aged 53, was labelled a "real danger to young boys" after being found guilty of abusing the youngsters decades ago at Brandhall Primary School in Oldbury.

Norford kissed and touched the youngsters from the Edinburgh Road school, often several times a week.

Judge Michael Challinor told him at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday: "You were in a position of trust and you used your position to groom the boys.

"Your tactics were subtle and all the more insidious for that. You used your charm on the boys in order to groom them."

Judge Challinor said no force was ever used against the victims, but he would tell them they were being "silly" if they resisted his advances.

The three victims had the added ordeal of giving evidence at a trial earlier this year, at which Norford, of Elmbridge Road, Perry Barr, was found guilty of five charges of indecent assault.

Judge Challinor said one of the victims in particular had "suffered a great deal" as a result of the abuse.

A second was "clearly very embarrassed" to have to come to court and give evidence.

"He looked ashamed", said the judge. "You represent a real danger to young boys and you continue to maintain your innocence."

Judge Challinor commended the three victims for having the courage to report the abuse to police and to give evidence

He said: "They and their families must not feel any shame about what happened.

"They were manipulated and deceived by a paedophile who as a result of their courage will not be able to abuse children."

Mr Earl Pinnock, defending, said: "He has lost his reputation as a teacher and was held in some good regard.

"For the teacher of young children, this was a significant breach of trust."

The barrister added: "He has a problem and to some extent is still running away from his responsibilities."

"He's a man who is still in denial."

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