Ex-primary school teacher who ‘tickled boys, 9, with feather and toothbrush’ is jailed

Ex-primary school teacher who ‘tickled boys, 9, with feather and toothbrush’ is jailed Joseph Haffenden, 32, told two nine-year-old boys he was playing a “game” while tickling them under their clothing and was later jailed after pleading guilty to charges including sexual assault. A former primary school teacher has been jailed after sexually assaulting two nine-year-old boys during a “game” involving a feather and an electric toothbrush. Joseph Haffenden, 32, told the children it was a “game”, but the offences were reported to police and he went on to plead guilty in July to six counts of sexual assault by touching and six counts of false imprisonment. The two boys had been sexually assaulted between January and February this year, with Sussex Police saying the allegations were reported on February 12. Both boys, aged nine, provided similar accounts of what Haffenden labelled a 'game' whereby the victims were tickled under their clothing with his hands, a feather, and an electric toothbrush. The offences were disclosed to adults who reported it to Sussex Police and Haffenden, of High Street in Lindfield, was arrested. Sussex Police said that a search of the defendant's home led to the discovery of "a number of items suggesting an interest in children". A statement read: "Officers searched Haffenden's property and found a number of items suggesting an interest in children and evidence which supported the victims' accounts. Haffenden was suspended from a teaching role and has subsequently been dismissed. "At Lewes Crown Court on Monday 20 July, Haffenden admitted the charges. On Thursday (3 September), he was jailed for 51 months." Detective Sergeant Ellen Jones said that the defendant's crimes were "disturbing" and "jar" with his job as a teacher, while she also praised the victims for reporting his offending. She said: "Haffenden's disturbing crimes suggest a clear sexual interest in children that jar alarmingly with his position as a teacher. "Thanks to the bravery of his victims for reporting his offending, we have been able to bring him to justice and ensure he can pose no further risk to children. "I would urge any other victims of sexual offending, no matter how long ago, to report online or phone 101, so we can investigate, support you and seek the justice you deserve."