ELLEN CADMAN-SMITH – ISLE OF WIGHT

❌ ELLEN CADMAN-SMITH – ISLE OF WIGHT ❌

Former School Mentor Barred After Sexual Communications With Teenage Pupil

A former school mentor on the Isle of Wight has been prohibited from working with children after a court found she sent thousands of inappropriate messages to a teenage pupil.

Ellen Cadman-Smith, 24, who worked at Cowes Enterprise College, was found to have exchanged more than 3,000 messages with a 15-year-old boy over a two-month period. The court heard that many of the messages were sexual in nature, including statements expressing romantic and sexual interest.

The conduct came to light after the boy’s mother discovered the messages on his phone and contacted authorities.

Evidence presented to the court showed that Cadman-Smith communicated with the boy frequently outside school hours and met him away from the school environment, including going for drives and meals. She also suggested staying together at a hotel.

Due to assessed mental health issues, Cadman-Smith was deemed unfit to stand a full criminal trial. The case proceeded as a “trial of issue,” where a jury determines whether the acts occurred rather than criminal responsibility. Jurors took just minutes to conclude that the communications had taken place.

The court imposed a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, banning Cadman-Smith from contacting children under 16 via social media (except immediate family) and requiring her to make electronic devices available for inspection. Her mobile phone was seized and destroyed.

She was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years and received an absolute discharge, meaning no custodial or community sentence was imposed.

Public Awareness and Safeguarding

Cases such as this highlight the importance of safeguarding and awareness around those in positions of trust working with children.

Claire’s Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) allows individuals to request information from police about a partner or person of concern if there is a history of harmful or inappropriate behaviour that may pose a risk. While commonly associated with domestic abuse, disclosure schemes play a wider role in protecting vulnerable people and supporting informed safeguarding decisions.

Anyone with concerns about inappropriate behaviour involving children or abuse of trust is encouraged to report it to police or relevant safeguarding authorities.