Former headteacher denies child sex charges

A former Lincolnshire primary school headteacher today (Thursday) denied child sex charges when he appeared before Lincoln Crown Court.

James Shawley (44), who was headteacher at St Bartholomew Primary School in West Pinchbeck, pleaded not guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a 14-year-old child.

He denied two charges of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

Shawley also pleaded not guilty to a fourth charge of attempting to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence by arranging to meet someone he believed to be a 14-year-old child in Huntingdon with the intention of having sex with the child.

The charges each relate to the period between December 8 and 23, 2019.

Judge John Pini QC adjourned the hearing for a trial to start on May 11 this year.

Shawley, now of Broad Inge Crescent, Sheffield, but previously of Hereward Street, Bourne, was granted conditional bail to await his trial.

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