A teacher has been jailed for raping a teenager on a school estate 30 years ago.

Alun Pickford, now 54, raped the 18-year-old female in the early 90s when he was a teacher at Aldenham School in Radlett, Hertfordshire.

Pickford, now of Manor Fields in Bratton village, Westbury in Wiltshire, pleaded not guilty but was convicted at St Albans Crown Court and sentenced to seven years' prison today (July 21).

His role as a teacher, who was entrusted with the safety and wellbeing of young people, was an aggravating feature of the sentence, police said.  

Watford Observer: The rape took place at a flat in the grounds of Aldenham School 30 years ago.The rape took place at a flat in the grounds of Aldenham School 30 years ago. (Image: Google Street View)

Sam Hunt, of Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non-recent sexual offences investigation team, commended the victim for coming forward.

She said: “She has shown incredible strength and determination to see this investigation through.

“Pickford’s attack on her when she was barely an adult has stayed with her all her life. I hope his conviction brings her some closure and the opportunity to move on.”

Pickford continued to work as a teacher in subsequent years.

Constable Hunt added: “We have worked with local authority and education partners to ensure the safety of young people since the report was received.”

Around 30 years ago, Pickford had invited the teenager to stay overnight at his one-bedroom flat on the school estate, however they were not in any kind of relationship.

He offered her his bed to sleep in while he slept on the sofa, but during the night he entered the bedroom and got into the bed with her.

She later told police she was paralysed with fear. She “shut down” and could not react or call out.

Shortly afterwards the victim confided in a friend about the incident but did not take the matter further.

A witness said they had seen the victim coming from the direction of Pickford’s flat in the early morning, while another said that Pickford had later boasted about the incident.

In 2020, the woman, now in her 40s, reported the rape to the police and an investigation was launched.

In interviews with police, Pickford denied the incident had happened or that the girl had ever stayed at his flat.

But he could offer no explanation as to why the witnesses would lie about what happened.