Teacher admits sexually abusing pupils

A primary school teacher today admitted abusing children in his classroom.

The 50 year old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to 36 sexual offences.

He admitted 23 charges of sexually assaulting a child under 13; eight charges of sexual assault by penetration of a child under 13; one charge of attempted rape of a child under 13; one charge of voyeurism; one charge of causing or inciting a child under 13 to commit sexual activity; and two charges of possessing child pornography.

The offences were committed against five girls, the youngest of whom was aged six, between September 2006 and December last year.

When police arrested the teacher they discovered around 30,500 indecent photographs and 720 indecent movies in his possession, including one of a child aged between seven and eight involved in an indecent act with an animal.

Speaking only to confirm his name and enter his pleas, the teacher, was remanded in custody until sentencing on June 10.

Police said that they were first alerted after receiving information about sexual abuse against children.

That afternoon the teacher was arrested and questioned on suspicion of a number of offences.

He appeared in court the following day and was remanded into custody where he has since remained.

Superintendent Geoff Wessell, head of public protection at Avon and Somerset Police, said: "The pleas entered are welcomed by both the investigative team and the families of those vulnerable victims who have endured abuse at the hands of this man.

"For a number of years he believed he had got away with these crimes, crimes that will leave his victims with both emotional and mental scars.

"We would like to thank the families who have come forward to police to report this abuse. Their courage and support has brought this man before the courts.

"We now await sentence."