'Explicit card' teacher is jailed

Walsh's behaviour concerned the parents of several girls

A 29-year-old teacher who sent sexually explicit Christmas cards to pupils and stole items of their clothing from the school has been jailed for 14 months.

Mark Walsh, of Derwent Road, Farnworth, Greater Manchester, admitted abusing a position of trust by inciting a child to engage in sexual activity in July.

He also pleaded guilty to eight specimen counts of theft at Bolton Crown Court in November.

Police said the PE teacher spent time with girls he found attractive.

'Worrying' behaviour

Walsh was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on Monday.

Det Con Steph Parker from the Child Protection Unit said: "Mark Walsh used his position as a teacher at the school to spend as much time as possible with particular pupils who he found attractive.

"He has openly admitted keeping a list of girls since he began teaching.

"Although there is no suggestion that Walsh ever engaged in any sexual activity with a pupil his behaviour was extremely worrying."

He said police were eventually contacted by the parents of a number of girls who had become concerned about his behaviour.