British Teacher Accused of Sexually Assaulting a Child Discharged from Extradition Request

A judge has discharged Rebecca Richardson, 54, a British teacher accused of sexually assaulting a child in Turkey, from an extradition request. Richardson appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to defend against allegations she assaulted a young child while teaching at an international school in Istanbul in early 2019. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will now consider appealing the decision in the High Court. Richardson, who had been living abroad for nearly 20 years, was granted bail until the next hearing on July 9.

Key Takeaways:

• Rebecca Richardson, a 54-year-old British teacher, was accused of sexually assaulting a child in Turkey in 2019 while teaching at an international school in Istanbul.
• Richardson appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to fight extradition to Turkey.
• Judge Paul Goldspring discharged Richardson from the extradition request, granting the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) two weeks to decide whether to appeal in the High Court.
• Richardson lived in Turkey between 2013 and 2019, before spending time in Mexico and Hong Kong, and left the UK in 2000.
• Richardson was granted bail until the next hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on July 9.

Statistics:

• The alleged assault occurred in early 2019.
• Richardson lived in Turkey for nearly six years before returning to the UK in 2019.
• Richardson had been living abroad for nearly 20 years before returning to the UK in 2019.
• The CPS will have two weeks to decide whether to appeal the decision in the High Court.

Sources:

• A spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
• Westminster Magistrates' Court
• PA Wire