A former deputy headteacher has been banned from the profession after watching videos of child sexual abuse.

Disgraced Richard Swinnerton, 33, spent two years secretly viewing the sickening abuse of minors on the internet.

Swinnerton, from Middlesborough, admitted his offences and told investigators the footage he watched included adults raping children in 2020.

Officers found 87 Category A videos on his laptop – which are the most serious kind.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of illegal images of children and was given a suspended 10 month jail term and a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The paedophile, who worked at St Clare’s Catholic Primary School, was told by a panel this week there is no way he will ever be able to return to the teaching profession

The Teaching Regulation Agency disciplinary panel made its ruling and stated his behaviour and conviction were ‘extremely serious’ given the nature of the offences.

Officers found no evidence to suggest that any of the images were made at the school and there is no allegation of physical abuse.

Decision maker Sarah Buxcey said: ‘The advice indicates that there are cases involving certain conduct where it is likely that the public interest will have greater relevance and weigh in favour of not offering a review period.

‘These cases include any activity involving viewing, taking, making, possessing, distributing or publishing any indecent photograph or image or indecent pseudo photograph or image of a child, including one off incidents.

‘The panel found that Mr Swinnerton was convicted of possession of indecent images of children which links to the behaviours where the panel should recommend no review period.’

Swinnerton initially appeared at Teeside Magistrates’ Court in September 2020 and admitted three counts of possession of illegal images of children relating to category A (the most severe), category B and category C.

After the case, the National Crime Agency said he used TOR software (The Onion Router) to make himself anonymous on the dark web.

NCA operations manager Julie Booker said: ‘Swinnerton had gone to considerable lengths using TOR to commit his offences and thought he was anonymous on the dark web.

‘Offenders who view child sexual abuse are contributing to ever more children being abused and condemning them to years of extreme trauma and suffering.

‘Every child in an abuse image is re-victimised when the photograph is viewed or shared.

‘Protecting children from sexual abuse and stopping paedophiles is a top priority for the NCA.’

After the hearing, a St Clare’s school spokesperson said: ‘This has been an upsetting matter for parents, carers, staff and the wider St Clare’s 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 Clare’s remains our priority at all times.

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

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