Fred Talbot has been jailed for 5 years for indecently assaulting 2 schoolboys, while he was a teacher.
The former TV weather forecaster was sentenced today at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester.
He will be considered for parole after 2 and a half years.
Judge Timothy Mort said that Talbot had “abused his position of trust” and that he was “obsessed” with teenage boys and “could not help himself” around them when he was under the influence of drink.
“You deliberately and indecently assaulted the two of them for your own gratification,” added Judge Mort.
His defence said that there was little that could be said in mitigation and that he had lost a stone in weight during his time in custody, but was “accustoming himself” to life in jail.
The conviction relates to the 65-year-old’s time as a biology teacher in the 1970s. He was cleared of 8 other charges of indecent assault.
“Put simply, these offences reflect an abhorrent abuse of trust by a man who has proven to have no regard for the innocence of youth he was employed to nurture,” said Greater Manchester Police’s Detective Chief Inspector Graham Brock.
“Had these offences occurred today, they would be considered child sexual exploitation and tackling this heinous crime is the absolute priority for Greater Manchester Police and our partners under Project Phoenix.
“Protecting children is everyone’s responsibility and it is crucial that we work together to identify individuals who prey on vulnerable children.”
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