A former deputy head teacher at a London primary school, Matthew Smith, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for paying and instructing teenagers in India to sexually abuse younger children.
The 35-year-old was arrested by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) after sharing abusive material on the dark web. The NCA’s investigation revealed he coerced young men online to abuse children, even while working as a teacher and head of pastoral care.
Smith, a manipulator, paid over GBP 65,000 to teenagers in India to commit abuse over five years. He also advised on befriending and abusing children. Smith’s extensive collection of indecent images of children was found on his devices.
He pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual exploitation and abuse. He has received a 12-year prison sentence, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and has been placed on the sex offenders register for life.
The NCA continues to work with global partners to ensure children are safeguarded, and offenders like Smith are brought to justice.
