Sex Education actor Alexander Westwood has been found guilty of raping teenagers in his acting class. Westwood, who also appeared in BBC’s Doctors, was convicted of 26 sex offences, including raping a school girl who sought acting tuition from him and sexually assaulting a child over an eight-year period. Described as “manipulative and predatory,” Westwood had a fascination with porn from a young age, according to the court.
The actor, hailing from Albrighton in Shropshire, will face sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court in February. Jurors revealed that Westwood had made repeated sexual offences a “habit” and “lifestyle”. It was disclosed that two teenage girls sought help with acting from Westwood, with one being coerced into acting out inappropriate scenes and the other being systematically abused by him.
One victim, a pupil aspiring to attend drama college in Birmingham, was raped and sexually assaulted by Westwood between November 2020 and September 2021. The victim’s ambitions to become an actress led her to arrange lessons with Westwood, who then abused his power over her. He would manipulate her by urging her to trust him and not tell anyone about the assaults, going as far as coercing her into a contract to keep her silent.
Westwood’s depraved actions have shocked the acting community and the public, with the case shedding light on the abuse of power and trust in acting classes. The court’s decision to find Westwood guilty sends a strong message that such predatory behaviour will not be tolerated, especially in environments where young aspiring actors should feel safe and supported.
In a society where influencers and actors hold significant sway over their followers, it is crucial to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation and abuse. The case of Alexander Westwood serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of safeguarding those who are in positions of vulnerability, particularly within educational and mentorship settings. It is imperative for institutions and authorities to maintain strict oversight and conduct thorough background checks to prevent such heinous acts from occurring in the future.