Great Yarmouth: primary teacher admits child sex offences

Richard Cosburn, 56, is to be sentenced next month after he admitted sexual offences against five children.

He was formerly employed as a teacher at Great Yarmouth Primary Academy (GYPA).

None of the sexual offences charges relate to children at the school where he no longer works.

Inspiration Trust, which runs the school on Dickens Avenue in Great Yarmouth, said parents had been informed about the case.

A trust spokesperson said: “Although the police have confirmed that none of the charges in relation to the previous employee, Richard Cosburn involve children at GYPA, we understand the news has been very upsetting for everyone in our community.

Richard Cosburn worked at Great Yarmouth Primary Academy but his offences do not involve former pupils (Image: Google)

"We have supported the police in their investigation, including confirming that when he joined the trust, all safeguarding checks were completed in full.

“Although situations like this are very rare, it’s at times like this that we need to come together with care and consideration for everyone.“

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Cosburn, formerly of Mill Road, Great Yarmouth, admitted a total of 26 offences against five boys under 13 between April 2007 and October 2020.

The offences include 10 counts of rape, four offences of sexual assault of a child under 13 by penetration, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 and an indecent assault.

He is currently on remand at HMP Norwich and is due to be sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on July 3.

That could see him made subject of a sexual harm prevention order and be banned from working with under-18s in any capacity.

All sex offenders are barred from working in schools.

Cosburn will be subject of a hearing by the Teaching Regulation Agency who have the power to recommend that the secretary of state impose a permanent prohibition order.