A British teacher faces 11 years in Turkish jail (2024)

Rebecca Richardson could face 11 years in jail (Image: Jon Austin/Daily Express)

A British teacher faces more than 11 years in a Turkish jail if convicted of child abuse charges against a five-year-old pupil.

Rebecca Richardson, 53, says the five-year ordeal has ruined a blemish-free career spanning 20 years and left her mentally ill.

She was arrested on a warrant from Turkey and brought to court to face extradition proceedings.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard she denies allegations she physically and sexually abused a then five-year-old girl in the toilet of an Istanbul school on January 22, 2019.

Ms Richardson left Turkey after being bailed and was not arrested until April 15 this year, when police arrived at her home in Malvern, Worcestershire.

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She said: “I was astounded and shocked that I was charged. The police who dealt with me in Istanbul seemed to think the whole thing was outlandish and would not end in a charge.

“It has been crushing and harrowing. I now suffer from anxiety and depression, am on regular medication, and am
unable to build relationships, friendships or any kind of life.

“It has also ruined my career and drained my savings, as well as my family’s. I cannot work as a teacher and wouldn’t attempt to. I’ve had some small part- time jobs, but this has been hard because of my mental health.”

At the court on May 24, Graeme Hall, representing her, said: “There are no convictions against her and no other allegations of any nature.

“These allegations are as shocking as they are baseless. The mother of the child made far-reaching allegations including that Ms Richardson had abused other students. None of the other students, when questioned, supported this.”

Rebecca Richardson vehemently denies the allegations against her (Image: Rebecca Richardson)

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Turkish media reports in June 2019 said the girl told her parents she was abused by Ms Richardson alone in a toilet.

Mr Hall added: “Her case is she was never alone with children and was consistently supported by a teaching assistant.”

It was reported in Turkey in 2023 that she had been charged with offences that could lead to 11-and-a-half years in prison.

Ms Richardson said she had advised Turkish authorities of her intention to leave and her UK address had been passed to the trial judge and prosecutor.

She said: “The Turkish authorities have known where I was at every stage. We have offered to provide my evidence by video link, an interview in the Turkish Consulate or in writing, but either the UK or Turkey authorities rejected these suggestions.”

Ms Richardson's lawyer Rhona Friedman said: "The prosecution evidence in this case is weak, contradictory and entirely undermined by extremely strong defence evidence demonstrating how the allegations cannot be true. It is very surprising that not only was Rebecca charged but that the case was not thrown out years ago.”

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