Bristol sex abuse supply teacher John Alway jailed
A supply teacher who sexually abused at least seven girls at four schools has been jailed for more than 10 years.
John Alway, 60, of Juniper Way, Bradley Stoke, was found guilty of 15 counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault at a previous hearing.
His trial at Bristol Crown Court earlier this month heard he carried out the offences between 1997 and 2004 in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
The judge said he "repeatedly breached the trust" of children in his care.
Sentencing Alway to 10 years and six months in prison, Judge Michael Longman said: "It is hard to think of any greater trust than one we place in those who teach and care for our children.
"You repeatedly and persistently behaved in a flagrant breach of that trust by behaving indecently towards young girls who were at the time entrusted to your care.
"You did so over the course of your short teaching career, not only taking opportunities to touch girls inappropriately when the occasion arose but also creating opportunities to touch them inappropriately for your sexual pleasure.
"Your offending behaviour spanned a period of about seven years and has affected at least seven girls. You chose to contest these allegations to the last."
His victims sitting in the public gallery wept as the sentence was passed.
Speaking outside court, Det Sgt Nigel Curnock said Alway was placed in a position of trust in his role as a teacher.
"He was expected to help and nurture these young girls but instead he took advantage of them to carry out acts for his own sexual gratification.
"Following a lengthy and challenging investigation, Alway was initially charged and faced trial for offences against three girls last year, but as a result of media coverage other victims came forward and he was subsequently charged with 23 offences against five others.
"We are pleased with the sentence passed today and hope it brings some comfort to the victims and their families," he added.
Alway, who was cleared of five counts of sexual assault and two counts of indecent assault, was barred from working with children indefinitely.