Child porn teacher escapes jail

Images were found on Mr Burke's computer

A Kent teacher who admitted to downloading child pornography has been spared a jail sentence because the material was "low level".

Robert Burke, 33, of Folkestone, also escaped a prison term because he had admitted his guilt and started having counselling sessions.

The head of drama at the Duke of York's Military School in Dover was given a three-year community order.

He will also have to attend a 10-month sex offenders' course.

20 charges

Mr Burke was arrested as part of Operation Ore after giving credit card details to access pornographic pictures.

Prosecutor Fiona Moore-Graham said police went to the teacher's home on 2 June when he was absent.

Computer equipment seized was found to have 15 indecent pictures of boys aged between 11 and 18 rated at level two, and five at level one. The highest rating for indecent pictures is level five.

We are dealing with an individual who has considerable insight into his offending Defending lawyer Peter Briegel

Mr Burke admitted 20 charges of making indecent images.

Peter Briegel, defending, told Maidstone Crown Court that Mr Burke had been a dedicated staff member for 12 years, and the head teacher of the school had written a letter saying they had lost an able teacher.

He said Mr Burke had already completed three counselling sessions, which Mr Briegel said he had started on his own volition after being arrested. He said Mr Burke was no longer teaching.

"There is no risk of him coming into contact with young people. We are dealing with an individual who has considerable insight into his offending," Mr Briegel said.

He said there was "no suggestion of any impropriety in dealing with students over the 12 years he was a teacher".

Judge Keith Simpson said: "You and people in your position... simply fail to appreciate that at the end of this process there are real, live children who are subjected to... the activity we see portrayed," he said.