Former Shrewsbury teacher, 72, jailed for sexually assaulting child
A former teacher from Shrewsbury who handed himself in to police after sexually assaulting a child will spend his 73rd birthday behind bars.
Michael Gilmore admitted sexual assault on a minor and was handed a six-month prison sentence at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday.
Gilmore, of Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury, walked into a police station following the assault on March 13 and told officers what he had done.
Judge Peter Barrie said it had been a sad and serious case.
He told Gilmore, who turns 73 tomorrow, he would serve half his sentence in prison.Judge Barrie said: "You are 72 years of age and have never been in trouble with the police before.
"You have dedicated your whole life to helping and teaching children with disabilities, who have real problems to overcome.
"You have known about adults and their responsibility for children in their care.
"Because of the lasting harm behaviour like this can cause I have to view your actions with extreme seriousness."
Mr Adrian Roberts, for Gilmore, said: "He led a valuable life and was devastated by what he had done."
He said Gilmore was a very well-regarded man in his community and the offence was completely out of character.
