Former Worksop school teacher jailed for sexual activity with underage girl

A married 42-year-old teacher who worked at a Worksop school for many years has been jailed for four years for sexual activity with a 15-year-old pupil who had a '˜crush' on him.
COURT: Court CaseCOURT: Court Case
COURT: Court Case

Bindur Maharjan, who previously worked at Valley School, now Outwood Academy Valley, held his head in his hands and sobbed as he was found guilty by a jury of three counts of sexual activity with a child.

Members of his family wept in the public gallery at Sheffield Crown Court as Maharjan, a father of young children, was sent to jail.

Judge Simon Lawler QC said despite ‘compelling evidence’ against Maharjan, of Littlemoor Lane, Doncaster, he had ‘sought to blame his victim for virtually everything’.

He said the previously well-respected teacher had destroyed his reputation through ‘total recklessness’.

Judge Lawler told Maharjan: “You have been convicted by the unanimous verdict of this jury upon compelling evidence of three counts of sexual activity with a child.

“You abused your substantial position of trust and responsibility as her teacher.

“You responded to her clear crush upon you by engaging in sexual activity which has been the subject of this trial.

“It is clear on her account that these acts were consensual. I have taken that into account but she was only just 15, which you knew of course.

“The law is there to protect girls against things, including from themselves.

“You have taken your trial as is your right but by the same token you have expressed no remorse or regret or responsibility. “Indeed, I have to say you sought to blame your victim for virtually everything.

“Hitherto, you have left a blameless and indeed exemplary life both professionally and personally.

“Your professional life is now ended.

“I have every sympathy for your wife and children and what they will have to bear as a result of your actions.”

Steven Coupland, defending Maharjan, told the court of his client’s previous good character.

“It does not appear he was pressuring her, grooming her or targeting her,” he said.

“Because of his age and training, he should have said no but went along with what was there.

“This was for a very, very limited period of time. That limited of period of time is set against a far longer period of time when he behaved impeccably towards staff and students.

“As a result of this conviction, he has lost his job forever – something he was very good at. His family will bear the difficulty that causes.”

Mr Coupland said Maharjan had been highly respected by his colleagues.

“He was the last person anybody would have thought this of. It is the first time he has ever had a brush with the law.”

The South Yorkshire school Maharjan taught at the time of the offence cannot be named for legal reasons to protect the identity of his victim.