Stalybridge teacher sentenced for abuse of position of trust

Sam Olsson, of Stonecliffe Terrace, Stalybridge, was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court after he "groomed" his student into a sexual relationship.

A maths teacher at Bolton UTC - which has since been replaced with the unrelated Bolton UCS - Olsson also worked as a conductor for the Besses o' th' Barn brass band in Whitefield. 

Bolton Crown Court heard how he began contacting his student through his personal email after she reached out to ask for help with schoolwork. 

Prosecutor Joe Allman said: “And later is when his emails became flirtatious, hinting about going on a date.”

The relationship remained in secrecy until he "ghosted" her after she turned 19.

Mr Allman said: “She had, in her own words, been groomed.”

Olsson was arrested in February 2023, and once again in April of that same year. He later confessed to two counts of sexual activity with a girl under 18 by a person in a position of trust.

During his sentencing, Olsson's defence representative said Olsson had "matured, developed and changed" since the incident, and that he now "bitterly regrets his offending".

 Judge Kenderick Horne said the court still believed he had "abused" his position of trust as a teacher, and they still believed the relationship began "because of what I am sure was grooming behaviour on your part".

In a statement, his victim said: "Instead of being my teacher and guide, he ultimately ended up being my abuser."

Olsson was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for 20 months, and ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days with 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was also sentenced to a 12-month mental health treatment requirement and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

He is now banned from any paid or voluntary employment with a school or educational establishment with children under the age of 18, for 10 years.

A Bolton UCS spokesperson said: "We are appalled by the actions of Sam Olsson, and it is right he has been brought to justice.

"Bolton UTC closed a number of years ago and was replaced by UCS, with new trust leadership.

“These incidents occurred before the current management was in place.

“The school has the most rigorous safeguarding measures in place and works closely with the local authority to ensure that our students can learn and grow in a safe, secure, and happy environment.

"Students are provided with clear information on who to talk to if they have any concerns and safeguarding information is easily available on our website, which also has a channel to report emergency matters. 

"An Ofsted inspection last September found that the school's safeguarding arrangements are 'effective' and that students feel 'happier, safer and more able to learn at school'."

Following the sentencing, Besses o' th' Barn brass band said: "On Tuesday 1st July 2025 Besses o' th' Barn band were made aware of a serious legal matter involving someone who has recently been associated with the band.

"The committee have reviewed this matter today and the individual has no association with Besses o' th' Barn Band with immediate effect from 1st July 2025.

"Out of respect for anyone impacted by this incident the band will not be making any further comments on this event. Our focus moving forward will be our ongoing rebuilding of the band and our musical work."