Former counselor, teacher Russell Tillson convicted of historic sex crimes at Tonbridge school dies in prison

A depraved former counselor and teacher at a prestigious school who repeatedly grabbed students’ genitals has died in prison.

Russell Tillson, from Dymchurch, committed offenses over almost 20 years while employed at Tonbridge School, both in the classroom and at a private residence he occupied on site.

Last year, a jury heard he offered teenagers alcohol and grabbed their genitals, then, when confronted, showed not a “flicker of regret, of shame or remorse.

He was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison last September after being convicted of four sex offences.

But KentOnline has learned he died at HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire – a category C prison for sex offenders – two weeks ago, on November 25.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman confirmed his death but could not provide further details as an investigation is ongoing.

A full report will be published once the investigation is complete, a spokesperson said.

The former economics teacher groomed two public school youths for his sexual pleasure.

And when confronted by one of his brave victims, the pedophile “just smiled and laughed and did not show an ounce of regret, shame or remorse”, he said. – we heard during his trial.

Tillson, of Ship Close, was convicted at the age of 73 of four of six indecent assault offenses dating back many years.

On September 1, 2023, he was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to five years and eight months, with a judge calling him a “highly manipulative and arrogant man who had a distorted belief in his own importance”.

Tillson was also given a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

During the trial, jurors heard that the allegations against Tillson were first broadcast in 1984, but reported to Kent Police in 2018.

The court heard he offered alcohol to teenagers and sexually assaulted pupils in a very similar way – grabbing their genitals.

While testifying, one victim told the jury: “His signature was to put his hands down the front of my pants, grab my genitals and squeeze them so hard it hurt. He had to grab my arms so I couldn’t get away.

“I didn’t really like him. I thought he was a dirty job…a dangerous character.”

Tillson was in a leadership position and any decisions he made could have a significant influence on students’ future educational aspirations.

He exploited this influence to make progress with victims, including one incident in which a boy was offered an enhanced academic credential, which Tillson said could be achieved through “unconventional methods”.

Tillson was arrested in October 2020 and, during interviews with police, denied all allegations made to him, calling them “fiction.”

He taught economics at the school between 1980 and 2001 and was also head of sixth form.

Tillson later served as deputy leader of Shepway District Council and chairman of the Folkestone and Hythe Conservative Association.

He also served on New Romney Town Council and Dymchurch Parish Council.