Former Worcester teacher admits indecent assault of pupil; case to be heard at Crown Court

A former River School teacher in Worcester admitted two counts of indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 16, describing the offences as grooming and a breach of trust. Mark Baker, 53, appeared at Worcester Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to the charges; the offences were said to have occurred years ago when the victim, who cannot be named, was a pupil at the independent Christian school. Baker wore a dark suit and spoke only to confirm his name and address and enter pleas. The victim is now an adult. The court heard the historic offences were committed while he was employed at the River School.

Prosecutor Megan Jewkes said Baker had touched the girl and kissed her, which was a 'clear breach of trust.' She said: 'She was a student at River School, Mr Baker being a teacher. Mr Baker has groomed her. He's entered into a relationship with her. He told her she had the attributes of what a wife should be as God decreed it. This was a case of grooming. He has worked to get the young child to believe that she was to be his wife.'

Magistrates' chairman Jonathan Wiltshire said the case would be sent to Worcester Crown Court for sentencing, noting there is a realistic prospect of a greater sentence at Crown Court. He told Baker: 'We feel there's a realistic prospect that a greater sentence will be handed out by crown court, so you will be sentenced by a judge instead.' Baker, of Haws Hill, Carnforth, Lancashire, was granted unconditional bail and ordered to appear at Worcester Crown Court on October 21 for sentencing. The River School, which opened in 1985, teaches 113 boys and girls aged 4-16 and is run by the Worcester Christian Education Trust. It last underwent an Ofsted inspection in 2007, which rated it Good. The school’s public materials emphasise a Christian vision and values at the core of its work, stating: 'Our Christian vision and values are at the core of everything we do. We include and value every individual as significantly made in the image of their Creator.' It adds that 'Relationships are the most precious things in life: our relationships with God and with one another.'