Former teacher Aaron Waterworth, 33, was accused of sending an indecent video to a teenage boy as part of a grooming incident, as revealed in court.
Starting in 2022, Waterworth, a history teacher who previously worked at Rastrick High School in West Yorkshire, engaged in conversations with the teenager on Grindr and Snapchat.
The court at Bradford Crown Court was informed that the teenager initially claimed to be 18 years old on his profile, but the dialogue quickly turned sexual despite Waterworth later discovering the boy’s real age.
Prosecutor Harry Crowson stated that Waterworth, despite knowing the boy was underage, discussed the teenager’s sexual history and expressed intentions to take his virginity.
After the communication transitioned to Snapchat, Waterworth sent explicit images of himself, including a photo of his genitalia and an indecent video.
Although Waterworth ceased communication with the boy, a police investigation was initiated following a report received by authorities.
Waterworth, residing in Halifax, was charged in late 2025 and subsequently admitted to causing or inciting a child to witness a sexual act during a court appearance in January.
The teenage victim provided a personal statement to the court, denouncing Waterworth’s actions as predatory and labeling him a pedophile.
Waterworth’s defense lawyer, Lauren Smith, highlighted his previously unblemished character and emphasized the loss of his teaching career as a significant punishment.
Smith mentioned Waterworth’s admission of guilt, expression of remorse, and strong personal mitigating factors that could result in a suspended prison sentence.
Recorder Simon Kealey KC acknowledged the grooming behavior exhibited by Waterworth, noting that he had urged the victim to keep their interactions confidential, causing substantial distress to the victim and his family.
The judge emphasized Waterworth’s acknowledgment of responsibility and the irreversible consequences on his teaching career, ultimately leading to his permanent disqualification from teaching.
Waterworth received an 11-month suspended jail term, requiring him to complete 200 hours of community service, attend 15 rehabilitation activity days, adhere to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, register as a sex offender for a decade, and comply with a restraining order preventing contact with the victim for ten years, in addition to paying £1,000 in costs.