Latest Offenders

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A PERVERT who was caught with hundreds of child abuse movies on his phone by his new boyfriend has escaped a jail sentence. Blair Houliston was found with films showing children as young as two-years-old bound and gagged while being sexually abused by adults. Houliston, 27, used WhatsApp and Kick Messenger to contact paedophiles in the US who sent him the horrific abuse images. He told one online paedophile he was into kids, rape and incest and was caught with hundreds of images and movies when police raided his home in 2018. Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told Houliston was arrested after his new boyfriend was left shocked after spotting disturbing material on his mobile phone and raised the alarm. Houliston admitted possessing the indecent images of children during an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this year and returned to the dock for sentencing. Sheriff John Mundy said: This behaviour is quite disgraceful and I hope you have had some insight into how this affects children. However I am treating you a first offender and the report heavily recommends in your case a community payback order. But I have to warn you now that I was considering a custodial sentence and if you dont comply [with the CPO] it wont be a short one. Houliston, of Greendykes, Edinburgh, was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for two years and on a supervision order for the same length of time as a direct alternative to custody. He will also have to attend the Moving Forward Making Changes organisation as part of a conduct requirement imposed by the court. Previously the court was told Houliston was in contact with paedophiles in Texas and the online chats had been extremely sexual in nature He had been asked by one pervert What are you into, sir? and Houliston was said to have replied kids, rape and incest. He was then sent scores of child abuse videos and images through the online apps. Prosecutor Rosie Cook said Houliston had met a new partner through a dating app in March 2018 and invited the man back to his home later that month. The fiscal said during the meeting the man saw something concerning on Houlistons mobile phone and decided to contact the police. Ms Cook added officers found hundreds of images including those of two-year-old children being abused on a computer program known as Mega, which was said to be similar to Dropbox. Solicitor Kevin Connor, defending, said his client was a first offender and had suffered from ADHD from the age of six though he added Houliston is not using that as an excuse into his behaviour. Mr Connor added the amount of images shared by Houliston was small and he had been attending the Stop It Now group since pleading guilty to the offences. Houliston pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children at his home address between January 21, 2015 and April 4, 2018. He also admitted to distributing indecent images of children between January 21, 2015 and January 21, 2018.

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A man who raped and sexually assaulted an autistic teenage girl has been jailed for 18 years.

West Midlands Police said Matthew Tucker, 48, raped her twice at his home in October 2019, and was also found to have a log of imaginary child abuse.

The girl, who was receiving mental health support, told a friend about the attacks and police arrested Tucker, of Great Barr, Birmingham, shortly after.

Detective Inspector Joe Davenport, from West Midland Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “The girl was autistic and had mental health issues… she was clearly vulnerable and we believe Tucker exploited that for his own sexual gratification.”

Officers found more than 2,200 screenshots of conversations between Tucker and his victim, as well as a log that appeared to record sexual activity with children aged between eight and 16.

However, after police tried to track down the children, none of the youngsters spoken to revealed any offences and it is thought the log was entirely invented by the paedophile.

Indecent images of children and bestiality were found on his devices.

West Midlands Police said Tucker told officers he knew she was only 15 but claimed she initiated sexual contact.

A jury at Birmingham Crown Court convicted Tucker of two counts of rape, sexual assault and possessing indecent images on 9 November.

He was jailed for 18 years and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life. The paedophile will need to serve 12 years behind bars before he can be considered for parole.

“My officers conducted a thorough investigation and supported the girl throughout the case to the conclusion at court,” DI Davenport said.

“I wish her all the very best for the future and hope she receives all the support she needs to get through what’s been a hugely traumatic time for her.

“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward and report the matter to us so we can take action.”

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The victim pleaded with you stop, and you replied: Do I look as if I care? A teenager who raped an 18-year-old woman in south London has been handed a five-year custodial sentence. Tamoy Bailey, who is now 18 but aged 16 at the time, carried out the attack at an address in Peckham in March last year after meeting the victim earlier that day. The woman was asked to come to the house and, when she arrived, Bailey locked her in the bathroom. He then subjected her to verbal abuse before raping her, a court heard. The then 16-year-old also threatened her with a knife and said he would stab her if she did not have sex with him. After the attack, the woman managed to leave the address and get to safety, where she immediately called police to report the attack. Bailey, of Hastings Close, Peckham, was arrested on April 2 and charged with rape and false imprisonment, all relating to the same victim. On Tuesday, he was given a five-year custodial sentence with a two year parole extension due to the danger he poses to potential victims. He was also handed a three year sentence to run concurrently for false imprisonment. Addressing Inner London Crown Court, Judge Donne said: The victim pleaded with you stop, and you replied, Do I look as if I care? This exemplified your attitude towards her. You did not care about her, you wanted sex and were willing to do what was necessary to obtain it. He also stated that Bailey represented a significant risk of harm to the public. Detective Constable Jake Good, of the Mets Central South safeguarding team, said: Bailey is a violent sexual offender and an ongoing risk to women. He was arrogant in the extreme and thought he could get away with raping this young woman. I hope this result and the sentencing brings her some degree of comfort. Importantly, I would like to recognise her dignity while confronting the trauma he put her through, in addition to the stress of the court proceedings.

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A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in jail for the attempted rape of a woman in her Worksop home last year.

Jamie Bradford, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted rape and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (December 8).

In addition to his prison sentence, he will go onto the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and was made subject of a restraining order.

Bradford, of HMP Nottingham, carried out his attack on 17 December 2019.

Detective Sergeant Tom Carver, of Nottinghamshire Polices Public Protection Team, said:

Id like to commend the victim and her family for their immense bravery throughout this prosecution.

"I hope that todays result will give them some comfort and I also hope it reassures other victims that they can feel confident about coming forward and that Nottinghamshire Police treats rape and sexual assault extremely seriously."

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An ingrained paedophile paid a Filipino woman 40 to film her young daughter in the shower and also directed two teens having sex over the internet.

Daniel Benton, 34, also sexually touched a young girl, including once at a funeral and had a sick catalogue of indecent images.

Benton, from Coronation Place in Helston, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence for two sexual assaults of a child, two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act, three counts of causing a child to engage in a sexual act, three charges of making indecent images of a child and possession of extreme pornography.

In total Benton was found to have accessed 65 Category A indecent images, 71 Category B indecent images and 515 Category C images.

Perhaps even more chillingly Benton admitted to paying a Filipino mum 40 to film her child aged around 10 in the shower and send it to him over the internet.

Warped Benton also was found to have directed two teenagers having sex.

Regarding the offences against the girl aged younger than 10, Benton touched her on the bottom and breast and showed her pornography. He also got her to put his hand in his pocket where there was a hole, her hand touching his erect penis.

Disgusting Benton sent pictures of the underage girl to another paedophile over the internet, something Judge Robert Linford would later touch on in his sentencing remarks commenting that learning this must have been an indigestible bombshell for her family.

Representing Benton, Rupert Taylor told the court how Bentons wife still stands by him in the belief he is capable of change.

Mr Taylor referenced the other side of Bentons character, a hardworking man but someone who was in a state of turmoil.

Benton was said to be candid in interview and continued to work hard right up until his trial. He also paid for treatment to address his perversions out of his own pocket.

Sentencing Benton, Judge Linford referred to the victim of the contact offending, saying: You effectively took away her childhood and her innocence.

Regarding the other matters, Judge Linford described how the indecent image collection showed girls as young as two or three being penetrated.

He added: You paid a Filipino woman to allow you to view her daughter in the shower washing her naked body. You paid 40 for this truly shocking behaviour.

Judge Linford called Benton an ingrained paedophile and jailed him for seven years and eight months.

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A child abuser has been jailed after his young victim became so tormented by her memories of abuse that she went to the police.

Benjamin Stone subjected the girl serious assaults when she was aged as young as six.

He threatened to harm her or her family if she told anyone and she remained too frightened to do so until she was older.

The trauma of the abuse continued to haunt her and she eventually told her mother and they went to the police together.

Stone, aged 33, of no fixed address, Exeter, denied six counts of sexual assault or causing a child to engage in sexual activity but was found guilty by a jury at Exeter Crown Court.

He was jailed for eight years by Judge David Evans, who put him on the sex offenders’ register for life and made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which will prevent contact with children after his release.

The judge told him: ”It was only when the victim was a little older that she felt able to tell her mother. She could not get intrusive thoughts out of her head and it affected her day to day life.

“This is a measure of the harm you caused that young girl and that she will have to live with for the foreseeable future. The full extent may only become clear as the years pass.

“She was clearly inhibited in coming forward by your displays of anger and the threats to kill her and her family."

Mr Richard Crabb, prosecuting, said Stone ensured her silence through threats.

She remained too frightened to tell anyone until 2017 when she made disclosures to her mother and then the police.

Stone told the jury that he had never touched the girl sexually or made any threats and that the allegations against him were false.

Mr Lee Bremridge, defending, said Stone has no previous convictions for sexual offences and is a hard-working man with a job in a workshop.

Description

A paedophile is back behind bars for sexually abusing young girls just months after being released from his previous sentence.

Graham Harry John Rogers' new victim came forward after reading about him in the papers - and during the course of their investigation police also found a second new victim.

Swansea Crown Court heard the first new victim had reported the assault to the authorities at the time of the abuse - more than 20 years ago - but the Crown Prosecution Service had decided not to charge Rogers because of a lack of corroborating evidence, something that "perhaps reflects the approach at the time".

Sending him down, a judge told the 66-year-old defendant he had "selfish, degenerate and deviant sexual needs", and only a sentence of immediate custody was appropriate.

Jim Davis, prosecuting, said in May 2018 Rogers was sentenced to four years sexually assaulting a young girl, and taking pictures of the abuse on his phone.

After reading about the defendant in the press, a woman abused by the defendant when she was a teenager went to police and asked them to look again at what had happened to her.

The court heard Rogers had touched the then-girl's genitals over her clothing, and "gouged" her with his thumb leaving her privates bruised and cut.

In the course of re-investigating that complaint, officers found another girl he had also abused - this offence had seen Rogers touching the breasts of a girl aged six or seven.

Mr Davis said the first victim had reported the incident to her mother and then to the police, but the prosecuting authorities decided there was no realistic prospect of conviction without corroborating evidence, something that "perhaps reflects the approach at the time".

In their impact statements which were read to court, the victims described how the abuse they had suffered had robbed them of their childhoods and blighted their whole lives, leaving them withdrawn, troubled, and distrustful of men.

Rogers, of Tirgof, Llangennech,  Llanelli, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault of a child when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

Stephen Rees, for Rogers, said his client knew what life in prison was like having recently served a substantial sentence imposed in 2018, and had come to court with his bags packed in readiness for a return.

But the barrister asked the judge to consider taking the "exceptional step" of imposing a more "constructive" sentence which would allow the defendant to complete a sex offenders course in the community, adding that Rogers "recognises he has a problem that needs to be treated".

Judge Huw Rees said it was clear Rogers had an "enduring sexual interest in children", and had "selfish, degenerate and deviate sexual needs". He said the defendant had "slyly" taken his opportunities to abuse the girls, actions which display the hallmarks of a paedophile.

The judge said he had listened carefully to submissions made on the defendant's behalf but the offending was so serious only immediate custody was appropriate.

Giving Rogers credit for his guilty pleas he sentenced him to a total of five-and-a-half years in prison. The defendant will serve up to half of that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

Rogers will be on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

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A convicted paedophile has admitted abusing 20 children while working as a live-in au pair.

Aaron McWilliams abused children and babies he was employed to look after while staying in family homes across the UK and Europe.

The 28-year-old was sentenced to life for his horrific crimes, which were described by police as 'every family's worst nightmare.'

McWilliams, who is already serving time in Belmarsh Prison for child abuse, was told he will serve a minimum of nine years in jail at Woolwich Crown Court today.

The predator made videos of himself sexually abusing children aged between four months and 14, and detectives now fear there may be further victims yet to come forward.

Police said McWilliams was 'manipulative, cold, calculating, and highly dangerous to children and young people.'

McWilliams was first convicted in 2016 for sexually assaulting a four-year-old child.

After serving part of his sentence, McWilliams was released and began working with a family within a matter of weeks after providing fake references.

He sexually abused another four-year-old child and was jailed again for seven years in August 2017.

During the investigation, a phone was seized and detectives found 2,472 indecent images of children plus an extensive collection of videos McWilliams had made of himself sexually abusing his young victims.

The prolific child predator was interviewed twice in 2018 about the material on his phone and made admissions about his horrific actions.

Some 24 victims, aged between four months and 14-years-old, were identified during the investigation of which all but one were boys.

McWilliams admitted a string of 40 sex crimes against children including 14 counts of inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sex, eight counts of inciting a boy under 13 to engage in other sexual activity and seven counts of sexual assault on a boy.

These also include three counts of making an indecent photo of a child, three counts of sexual assault on a child, two counts of rape of a boy under 13, attempted rape of a boy under 13, sexual assault on a girl and engaging in sexual activity with a boy under 15.

DS Adam Ghaboos, of the Met Police Central East Safeguarding team, said: 'McWilliams is a predatory paedophile who sexually abused a large number of children he was entrusted to care for.

'It is every family's worst nightmare. He is manipulative, cold, calculating, and highly dangerous to children and young people.

'This case is among the most serious child abuse offending that the team has seen.

'I would like to acknowledge the courage of the young victims and their families who have endured the horrific abuse and the long-term harm these types of crimes cause.

'McWilliams will spend a long time in jail where he cannot harm any other children.'

DS Ghaboos said there may be further victims yet to come forward and asked families who have employed McWilliams in the past to come forward.

He added: 'Our enquiries have led us to a large number of McWilliams' victims, but we can't rule out the possibility that there may be more.

'I would urge any families who have employed McWilliams or believe that he may have had contact with their children to come forward.'

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A SEXUAL 'predator' who abused a teenager girl after plying her with alcohol has been jailed.

Corey Reid, 24, of no fixed abode pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with a child and sexual assault and he was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday.

On a night in April of last year, Reid, who was sleeping rough in Banbury, met and befriended two teenage girls and a teenage boy in the town.

He gave them alcohol and when one of his victims became intoxicated, Reid took her away from the group and sexually assaulted her.

One of the victim's friends called police and Reid was found and arrested.

The victim suffered both psychological and physical injuries as a result of the assault.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Bryn Smith of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, based at Banbury police station, said: Corey Reid is a predatory offender and poses a danger to children.

His interests are satisfying his own sexual urges towards children, with no thought of consent or their welfare.

The victim in this case has shown incredible bravery throughout this traumatic experience.

"She was vulnerable, not only by her age, but also being intoxicated and targeted deliberately due to this.

She is still terrified by Reid, who was a complete stranger, and no length of sentence will change that.

I commend her for her bravery, and I hope that this sentence will act as a stepping stone to a confident and fulfilling future which she fully deserves.

I would always encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault to come forward and report it to police.

You will be listened to and supported by experienced officers and staff, and we will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.

He was jailed for a total of five years.

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A paedophile from Letchworth has been jailed for more than two years after pleading guilty to multiple sex offences.

Brian Melabiankis, formerly of Marmet Avenue in the town, was sentenced to 29 months in prison at St Albans Crown Court on Monday.

The court heard how the 25-year-old had committed a number of child sex abuse offences, including making and distributing indecent images of children, between October and December of 2017.

At court, he pleaded guilty to a total of 19 different charges seven counts of distribution of indecent images, nine counts of making indecent images, two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

Melabiankis name was also added to the sex offenders register for 10 years.

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A female prison officer is facing jail after sending sex pictures of herself to teenage male inmates at a young offenders institution.

Jordan Trainor, 25, also engaged in 'sexual touching' of a teen at Wetherby Young Offender Institution and was involved in "improper relationships" with two prisoners.

She further admitted bringing in packages for the youngsters and failing to report they were in possession of mobile phones.

Trainor, who's from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to one offence of misconduct in a public office when she appeared before Leeds Crown Court on Friday.

The circumstances surrounding the offending are not yet fully clear, however, it is known the "improper relationships" were with two inmates under the age of 18.

Trainor passed messages between the pair, delivered four packages to one inmate and engaged in sexual touching with one on "approximately three occasions", the court heard.

The offending took place at Wetherby Young Offender Institution on or before 23 December last year.

Trainor's barrister, Jade Edwards, said a psychiatric report had been ordered and asked for the sentencing to be adjourned for four weeks.

The judge said: "You have pleaded guilty to what I am sure you understand is a very serious offence.

"It is a breach of trust and it is a very serious matter.

"I am going to order a pre-sentence report so the judge who sentences you has a full understanding of your background and any difficulties you may face.

"You must understand that a custodial sentence is almost inevitable in a case such as this.

"There is no point in giving to you false hope."

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A BOURNEMOUTH man who groomed a 14-year-old girl into having sexual activity made her feel "vulnerable and afraid". Matthew Joseph Keets, aged 23 and of Bennett Road, Bournemouth, began messaging the schoolgirl over social media platform Snapchat in the summer of 2019. As reported, Keets admitted two counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of sexual communication with a child, one count of possession of indecent moving image and four counts of possession of an indecent image. This came after months of offending, which included Keets and the victim engaging in consensual sexual activity at the defendants home in October last year. The girl was reported missing in November last year and was found by family members at Keetss address. He was arrested and admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the victim but claimed he did not know she was underage. He was released on bail with conditions not to contact the victim but, following reports Keets was breaching those conditions, officers attended his address in February and found him in company with the victim. Keets was arrested again and an examination of his mobile phone revealed a number of messages illustrating the defendants grooming behaviour toward the victim as well as indecent images of her. Prosecutor Tom Wright told Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday, October 29, that some of the messages between Keets and the girl presented a subtext of "fantasies of domination" on the defendant's part. Keets's most recent sexual activity with the child was after he had been arrested on three occasions for his interaction with the girl and released under investigation by police. A victim impact statement read by Mr Wright said Keets initially told the girl he was 17 when they were exchanging messages. He was in fact 22 at the time. When they met in person he revealed his real age before the sexual activity began, the court heard. "I was vulnerable and he took advantage of it," the statement said. It added: "I feel like he has taken away part of my teenage years when I should have been having fun with my own friends." The girl said she felt pressured by Keets to comply with his sexual demands and this left her feeling "vulnerable and afraid". The defendant would give the victim free cannabis and food. Mitigating Kevin Kill said Keets, who has Asperger syndrome, had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to the string of offences. "He is a relatively young man with some very complex issues and he needs help with it," said Mr Hill. Judge Stephen Climie told Keets that he should be under no illusions over the fact that his actions had a "very serious affect" on the victim. "She will struggle with it (Keet's offences) and that is your fault and your responsibility", the judge added. The defendant was warned that if he commits any offences of a similar nature involving children in the future, it is likely the courts will find him to be dangerous. Keets was issued with a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order, which both last for 10 years.

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A PERVERT pensioner has been jailed for 31 months for sexually abusing a young girl. David Magee, 65, of no fixed address, was locked up at Bradford Crown Court for three counts of sexually assaulting a child under 13 and a single charge of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Magee was sentenced on a video link to Leeds Prison where he was being held on remand. After the case, an NSPCC spokesman said: Magees actions are truly reprehensible - displaying callous disregard for a young victim who will need significant support to recover. The NSPCC urges anyone who has experienced sexual abuse to speak out and seek support. You will be listened to and this case proves that predators like Magee can be brought to justice.

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A QUIZMASTER who admitted making hundreds of indecent images of children and having an interest in young boys, has escaped jail.

Judge James Burbridge said he was “satisfied” Marc Knowles case was one for which he did not need to hand out an immediate custodial sentence, and the 36-year-old would benefit from a sexual offences rehabilitation programme.

Knowles, who had been a quizmaster at pubs around Worcester including the New Inn in Ombersley Road and The Talbot in Barbourne, entered his pleas for the first time at the start of the Worcester Crown Court hearing on Wednesday.

He pleaded guilty to making 56 indecent images of children at category A (the most serious category) between February 18 and December 20, 2017.

Knowles also admitted making 215 indecent images at category B between the same dates and 572 indecent photographs of a child at category C between November 1 and December 20, 2017.

He also admitted having on December 20, 2017, a further seven prohibited images of children.

The case had taken three years to get to sentencing, and was also adjourned in January so a psychiatrist could be instructed to assess whether the defendant was fit to plead.

Prosecuting, Simon Phillips said an investigation was launched after 46 illegal images were uploaded to Dropbox, that led the firm to report them to the police.

After the IP address was traced it led them to the Knowles' family computer, at their home in Saunders Street, Worcester.

"The email address was in due course linked to this defendant," Mr Phillips said.

"A search was carried out (in December 2017). When officers arrived, Mr Knowles told the police they did not need to speak to his parents, it was him they needed to speak to.

"To his credit (in interview) he admitted he had uploaded 46 images and there were maybe more."

Mr Phillips said Knowles had also encouraged boys to share images on another site.

The prosecutor said the images found were across three devices including a phone and a computer.

"Stills and movies containing indecent images were found on all three," the prosecutor said.

"He said he had an interest in young boys and had had that interest for about a year.

"He told the police he knew the ages of the boys, and therefore knew it was wrong."

He added that the sentencing guidelines for the most serious offence was a starting point of a year custody, up to three years.

Elizabeth Power, defending, highlighted that Knowles had been candid and honest, and had told the author of a report he had sought gratification from viewing the images.

But she said Knowles suffered from Aspergers syndrome so did not think of the real victims, pointed out Knowles had no previous convictions and had not committed any further offence in the three years since being charged.

Sentencing him Judge Burbridge said:

"You were a man of good character but you had a secret - for about three years you were downloading images of children.

"Behind every child in every picture there is a real victim, and because there appears to be a market for these disgusting images, it leads more children to become victims."

Judge Burbridge said he could draw on Knowles' good character, his conduct with police, and he had not sought to meet a child.

He handed Knowles an 18 month community order, which includes the condition he must complete the accredited sex offences programme and 40 rehabilitation activity days, and gave him a two month curfew.

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order, and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years.

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A former deputy headteacher of a primary school watched sickening indecent images of children on the dark web while his wife and child were at home.

Paedophile Richard Swinnerton admitted he had a sexual attraction towards children and would watch the vile abuse material on a weekly basis.

The 31-year-old was caught on May 15 after police executed a warrant at Swinnertons Coulby Newham home.

Following his arrest, he immediately resigned from his job at St Clares Catholic Primary School in Acklam, Middlesbrough .

His offences were not related to his employment at the school.

Swinnerton appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday to be sentenced for three counts of possession of indecent images.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said that when officers went to Swinnertons home, he made a significant statement to them, and admitted straight away, saying; Its me, Ive been looking at indecent images.

He then pointed to a laptop on a nearby sofa which was recovered and examined.

On the initial examination, police found six videos containing indecent images, all of which were category A - the most severe.

The court heard that one sickening video was a full 36 minutes long and involved a child between the age of six to eight.

Another five-minute long video was found which depicted the abuse of a child who was aged between two and three.

A more in-depth examination of Swinnertons laptop was later carried out where a total of 95 indecent images were discovered.

A total of 87 were in category A - 11 of which were moving images.

Seven images were in category B and one was in category C.

Mr Dryden said that when Swinnerton was interviewed, he made full admissions and said he had been accessing indecent images for around two years.

He said he would view the disgusting material when his wife and child were upstairs.

He said he viewed the material for sexual gratification on a weekly basis for about half-an-hour.

The court was told that Swinnerton was employed as a primary school teacher at the time of the offences and was also an active member in his local church.

He had been a primary school teacher for the past eight years but resigned as soon as he was arrested.

Swinnerton, who had no previous convictions, admitted to police that he had a sexual attraction to children and had done so since he was a child.

In mitigation, John Nixon, defending Swinnerton, said he was a primary school deputy headmaster and that he was an intelligent, hard-working man who is well-educated.

He said that Swinnerton was very successful in his occupation.

Mr Nixon told the court that there was no suggestion whatsoever that there was any impropriety in his workplace and that he viewed the school children as pupils who were in his care.

His private life was quite separate from his public responsibilities, he said.

He added that it is a tragic fall from grace for him and that his life and reputation are in tatters and was required to split from his wife and child.

Mr Nixon said that he had chosen to be quite honest about the issues he has.

Before sentencing, Judge Deborah Sherwin said that there was no suggestion that Swinnerton crossed the boundaries with pupils at the school he taught at.

She sentenced him to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years.

He must also undertake 35 rehabilitation activity days as well as a 27 day sex offender programme.

He must sign the sex offender register and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order - both will last 10 years.

A St Clares school spokesperson said: This has been an upsetting matter for parents, carers, staff and the wider St Clares community.

We are grateful for the support we have received from them and we continue to assure them that the wellbeing and safety of children of St Clares remains our priority at all times.

It is also important to reiterate that this former employees offences were not in connection with his employment at the school.