Former Canterbury boarding school teacher jailed for non-recent crimes against children

A child sex offender who taught at a boarding prep school in Canterbury has been convicted of non-recent crimes involving two young victims.

Dennis Fletcher, formerly of Magdalen Court in Broadstairs, pleaded guilty to the indecent assault of a boy at Junior King’s School between 1978 and 1982.

Fletcher, who was a resident boarding master, was convicted of a further indecent assault against a second boy at the same school during the same period, following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Investigation

Specialist detectives from Kent Police launched an investigation after Fletcher’s offences were reported to them in 2020. A further victim was identified in 2022.

Extensive enquiries were completed, which involved gathering and processing complex evidence and multiple interviews with Fletcher under caution.

A case file was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service in January 2025 and Fletcher was later charged.

He admitted to one charge but pleaded not guilty to the second offence, for which a jury then found him guilty in a unanimous verdict.

Jailed

On Friday 3 July 2026, Fletcher was sentenced at the same court to 11 years and 9 months’ imprisonment.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Sarah Cullingham, said: ‘Fletcher abused his position of authority in the most appalling way imaginable, carrying out repulsive crimes against children for whom he should have provided nurture and care.‘Thanks to the courage of the two victims, he is now rightly behind bars where he belongs.‘This case highlights that it is never too late for victims of sexual abuse to come forward to us. We understand how difficult it can be to speak about crimes that took place many years ago, but we will treat every report seriously and sensitively.‘We will listen to victims, support them throughout the investigative process and do everything in our power to build a case that brings offenders to justice, regardless of how much time has passed. Specialist services are available to help victims process what has happened to them, to provide practical and emotional assistance, and they will not have to face the journey alone.’