Battersea teacher paid £65,000 to watch 7-year-old boy raped

Matthew SmithThe 35-year-old used the dark web to pay young men in India £65,000 to rape and sexually assault children as young as seven and then send him videos and images.

His offenses related to sexually abusing children in India over the internet between 2017 and 2022, when he was living in Nepal and working at a school there.

Smith then returned to the UK in July 2022 and took a job as deputy head at Thomas’s in Battersea, a £20,000-a-year school previously attended by Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Smith was Thomas’ deputy head at Battersea (Image: street view)

In November 2022, officers from the National Crime Agency raided his home in Chesterfield Grove, East Dulwich.

Officers found dark web sites and child abuse forums open on his computer.

Smith would also give young men advice on how to befriend and build trust with children, with the aim of abusing them.

Between 2007 and 2014, Smith worked in orphanages and NGOs in India.

Investigators found evidence of potential wrongdoing by Smith while he was working in India, and the information was passed on to Indian police.

He appeared in Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday (June 20) where he pleaded guilty to 17 charges relating to online child sexual abuse.

At a previous hearing, he had already pleaded guilty to five counts.

More than 120,000 indecent images of children were stored on Smith’s laptop, SD card and on his laptop.

Prosecutor Louise Oakley requested that Judge Griffiths order a pre-sentence report to assess Smith’s dangerousness.

Matthew Smith was warned of a lengthy prison sentence (Image: NCA)

Judge Griffiths adjourned sentencing until August, but warned Smith: “You should hope for nothing short of a substantial jail term.”

There is no evidence that Smith abused children in the UK or Nepal.

A spokesman for Thomas’ school said: “We were shocked and extremely upset by this case and are grateful to the police and the courts for their work in bringing this man to justice.

“Mr Smith’s employment at the school, which started in September 2022, was immediately terminated when the school first became aware of the allegations against him in November.

“Despite the National Crime Agency confirming that none of the cases being investigated relate to the school or its pupils, these deplorable actions represent an inexcusable breach of trust and our thoughts are with those who have been or have been affected by them from them.

“As always, we remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students and our entire school community.”