Geography teacher Kato Harris tells of relief after being cleared of raping pupil at Camden School
Kato Harris, has been cleared of three counts of rape - Credit: Archant
A Geography teacher has told of the “massive stress” of being accused of repeatedly raping a 14-year-old pupil in the classroom of his Camden school.
A jury at Isleworth Crown Court took just 26 minutes to clear Kato Harris, 37, of raping the teenager three times in the Autumn term of 2013 when she was 14 after inviting her into a classroom during the lunch break for chats.
Speaking outside court, Mr Harris spoke of the “massive stress” he has been under for the past 20 months and hoped that the “extraordinary case” would not deter victims of sexual abuse from coming forward in the future.
The teacher said: “I am grateful for the verdict of the jury today.The last 20 months have put massive stress on my family.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their love and care.
You may also want to watch:
“I am grateful for the hundreds of letters from former colleagues, friends, past pupils who sent messages of support.I will reply to all.”
Mr Harris added: “It is my my sincere wish that this extraordinary case does not deter people who have been victims of sexual abuse coming forward in the future.
Most Read
- 1 Guilty: Kentish Town man convicted of murdering Jack Ampadu
- 2 Famous Hampstead Heath love swan Mrs Newbie dies
- 3 'Feels like a runway': Hampstead residents call for LED lamp post change
- 4 Man, 26, stabbed in Camden 'fight'
- 5 'Heart of the community': Muswell Hill Library celebrates 90 years
- 6 West Hampstead Women's Institute celebrates 10-year milestone
- 7 David Amess murder: Met searches London addresses
- 8 'Victim-blaming': Disabled woman fears leaving flat after neighbour's abuse
- 9 Tributes paid to Primrose Hill mother-of-four as fundraiser launched
- 10 'State pension must be raised or older people face a dismal future'
“There is a beautiful world out there and for 20 months I’ve been terrified of it, and I’ve been hiding from it.”
“I’m now going into it a good man, and a free man.”
