‘Vile’ trainer used Grindr to groom boy and talked about ‘taking his virginity’
Aaron Waterworth, 33, was a history teacher at Rastrick High School in West Yorkshire before admitting causing a child to watch a video of a sexual act and sending indecent pictures
Rastrick High School.(Image: Huddersfield Examiner)
A disgraced former teacher sent an indecent video to a teenage boy in a shocking case of grooming. Aaron Waterworth, 33, previously a history teacher at Rastrick High School in Halifax, initiated conversation with the teenager on Grindr and Snapchat back in 2022.
Prosecutor Harry Crowson told Bradford Crown Court on Tuesday, March 17 that the victim initially remained anonymous and claimed he was 18 on his profile, but the chat swiftly turned explicit.
Mr Crowson revealed to the court that despite later realising he was interacting with a boy under 18, Waterworth enquired about his past sexual encounters and discussed taking his virginity. After the conversation moved to Snapchat, Waterworth sent a photo of his own genitalia and an indecent video.
The court was told that Waterworth eventually ceased communication, but a police investigation was launched after the incident was reported. Waterworth, residing at Seed Hill Terrace, Halifax, wasn’t charged until late 2025, and when his case was presented before the crown court in January, he confessed to an offence of causing or inciting a child to watch a sexual act.
On Tuesday, the boy read out a personal victim statement in which he detailed how Waterworth had exploited his vulnerability. He described the defendant’s conduct towards him as vile and unacceptable, labelling him a paedophile, reports Yorkshire Live.
Waterworth’s barrister Lauren Smith said prior to the offence her client had been a man of absolute good character. She said Waterworth had now lost his teaching career and that was a punishment in itself.
Miss Smith said her client had admitted his guilt, shown remorse and had strong personal mitigation which could lead to a suspended prison sentence in his case.
Recorder Simon Kealey KC said the offence had involved grooming behaviour and Waterworth had asked the complainant not to tell anyone. The judge said the offence must have had a very significant impact on the complainant and his wider family.
“I am satisfied that you have taken responsibility for what occurred between you and him and that you have lost a significant and highly valued career as a teacher,” the judge told Waterworth.
“It is the end of you career as a teacher. You will not be teaching again.”
The judge decided that Waterworth’s 11-month jail sentence could be suspended for two years. But the defendant must now do 200 hours unpaid work for the community and attend 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He will also have to comply with the terms of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and register as a sex offender with the police for the same period of time.
Recorder Kealey also imposed a restraining order which bans Waterworth from contacting the complainant for 10 years and he ordered the defendant to pay £1,000 costs.
