History teacher Aaron Waterworth, 33, of Halifax, sent an indecent video to a teenage boy in a “vile” case of grooming, Bradford Crown Court heard
A “vile” former teacher sent an indecent video to a teenage boy in a case of grooming, a court was told.
History teacher Aaron Waterworth, 33, began chatting with the teenager on Grindr and Snapchat back in 2022.
Bradford Crown Court heard today that the complainant was initially anonymous and stated on his profile that he was 18, but the conversation quickly became sexualised.
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Prosecutor Harry Crowson said that despite later knowing that he was communicating with a boy who was under 18, Waterworth, who had taught history at Rastrick High School in West Yorkshire, asked about his previous sexual experiences and talked about taking his virginity.
After the communication switched to Snapchat Waterworth sent a photo of his own penis and an indecent video.
The court heard that Waterworth eventually stopped the communication, but a police investigation began after the matter was reported to them, Yorkshire Live reports.
Waterworth, of Halifax, was not charged until late 2025, and when his case came before the crown court in January he admitted an offence of causing or inciting a child to watch a sexual act.
The boy read a victims personal statement to the court, in which he described how Waterworth had preyed on his vulnerability. He said the defendant’s behaviour towards him had been vile and unacceptable and branded him a paedophile.
Waterworth’s barrister Lauren Smith said prior to the offence her client had been a man of absolute good character. She said Waterworth had now lost his teaching career and that was a punishment in itself.
Miss Smith said her client had admitted his guilt, shown remorse and had strong personal mitigation which could lead to a suspended prison sentence in his case.
Recorder Simon Kealey KC said the offence had involved grooming behaviour and Waterworth had asked the complainant not to tell anyone. The judge said the offence must have had a very significant impact on the complainant and his wider family.
“I am satisfied that you have taken responsibility for what occurred between you and him and that you have lost a significant and highly valued career as a teacher,” the judge told Waterworth.
“It is the end of you career as a teacher. You will not be teaching again.”
The judge decided that Waterworth’s 11-month jail sentence could be suspended for two years. But the defendant must now do 200 hours unpaid work for the community and attend 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He will also have to comply with the terms of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and register as a sex offender with the police for the same period of time.
Recorder Kealey also imposed a restraining order which bans Waterworth from contacting the complainant for 10 years and he ordered the defendant to pay £1,000 costs.
