A high school science teacher “who preyed on innocent girls for his own sexual gratification” was today told he faces a lengthy prison sentence.
Brett Meeds, 28, groomed three pupils aged 15 and 16 at Dereham Northgate High School and “abused his position of trust” by having sexual activity with them.
Prosecutors said the teenage victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, “were the subject of sexual abuse on several occasions.”
Meeds was a science teacher at the school and Dereham Sixth Form College betweeen 2005 and when he was suspended earlier this year after allegations against him were made.
At Norwich Crown Court today Meeds, who used to live in Norwich but has been living in Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, pleaded guilty to two offences of sexual activity with girls and five offences of sexual activity with girls which breached his position of trust.
He also admitted two charges of possessing indecent photographs of two girls.
The charges all relate to a period between March 2008 and May this year.
He denied two offences of sexual activity with two of the girls and they were ordered to lie on the file.
Meeds had been on bail but was remanded in custody after his barrister Matthew Gowen did not reapply for bail.
He will be sentenced during the week beginning October 5.
Recorder Simon Spence told Meeds: “These are very serious offences. You have pleaded guilty and it will inevitably attract a lengthy custodial sentence.”
Prosecuting lawyer Lorraine Irwin said: “We are pleased Meeds has taken some responsibility for his crimes, as putting these vulnerable young girls through the ordeal of a trial would have been very traumatic for them.
“Meeds was in a position of trust as a teacher and abused this trust and preyed on these innocent girls for his own sexual gratification.”
Miss Irwin added: “Hopefully the victims can now begin to move on positively with their lives. We are grateful this case has reached a successful conclusion.”
