Actor sentenced to prison for raping teenager during acting classes.

An actor who was featured in the popular Netflix series “Sex Education” has been sentenced to prison for committing sexual offenses, including the rape of a schoolgirl who sought his help for acting lessons. Alexander Westwood, who is 24 years old and from Shropshire, was found guilty of a total of 26 crimes against children, involving two young pupils who took his acting classes. In one case, Westwood targeted a child over a period of eight years.

In the courtroom, he was described as “manipulative and predatory.” The jury heard that his offenses against five victims had become a pattern in his life, indicating that he repeatedly abused his position and trust. During the sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Judge Neil Chawla remarked that Westwood had exploited his minor fame to take advantage of young, impressionable girls.

Westwood was convicted in December of several sexual crimes involving a young boy aged between nine and ten, two teenage girls who came to him for acting guidance, and a woman. The judge noted that his “campaign of sexual offending” had persisted for just over ten years and resulted in “devastating consequences” for all five victims. He criticized Westwood’s “casual and arrogant” behavior during the trial, highlighting that the actor attempted to shift blame onto the victims instead of taking responsibility for his actions.

Between November 2020 and September 2021, Westwood raped and sexually assaulted one of his acting students and urged her to participate in sexual activities. Reports from the court revealed that he made her perform a monologue from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” while undressing. During this time, Westwood would discuss explicit scenes from films, showing a troubling behavior pattern.

Prosecutor Andrew Wallace noted that Westwood not only assaulted the girl but also made threats to her regarding her future at a drama school unless she continued the acting lessons with him. He even coerced her into signing a binding contract, stating that she would owe him a significant amount of money if she attempted to break off their arrangement.

The abuse of another teenage girl occurred during the same timeframe, from May to August 2021. In this case, Westwood suggested a scene for her performance that involved nudity, which she deemed inappropriate. As a result of their experiences, the victims reported severe emotional and psychological effects, including panic attacks, anxiety, and issues related to self-esteem.

Westwood received reduced sentences for 11 of the 26 charges he faced due to the fact that he was still a minor when some of the offenses occurred. Additionally, the judge mandated restraining orders protecting all five victims from any contact with Westwood. The gravity of the court’s findings reflects the serious nature of his actions and the long-lasting impact they have had on the lives of his victims.