House Parent Accused of Stealing from Students at Elite British School
A staff member at a £37,000-a-year boarding school allegedly stole cash, jewelry, and electronics from students over four months.
A house parent at d’Overbroeck’s, an elite private school in Oxford, England, has admitted to stealing thousands of pounds worth of belongings from students under his supervision. Jack Martin-Harley, 33, used his position to access and take cash, jewelry, and electronic items from pupils’ dorms over a four-month period.
Martin-Harley faced nine burglary charges at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court, where he entered his guilty plea. The thefts occurred between December and April. He was employed as a senior boarding assistant at Westway House, which accommodates approximately 50 sixth-form students, and was responsible for overseeing their academic and personal lives.
The school, which charges up to £37,000 annually, informed parents of Martin-Harley’s departure with a letter stating he was no longer a staff member, but did not disclose the nature of the crimes. This lack of transparency has reportedly angered parents, with one school source quoted as saying, “Parents at the school are outraged – it’s been very difficult for everyone involved. It’s an obscene amount of money and it’s incredible that this individual saw fit to top up his own salary.”
d’Overbroeck’s, a co-educational institution for students aged 11 to 18, advertises its boarding facilities as being within “modern, secure facilities” on its website. The school has confirmed that Martin-Harley left with immediate effect and that the matter was reported to the police. A spokesperson stated that due to ongoing legal proceedings, the school could not provide further comment.
Martin-Harley was scheduled for sentencing at Oxford Crown Court, but the hearing was postponed to November 26 after he appeared without legal representation. Not all stolen belongings have been recovered and returned to the students.