Former Hethersett Academy teacher jailed for possession of indecent images of children
A disgraced former Norfolk teacher was jailed on Wednesday for 10 months for possessing hundreds of indecent images of children.
Andrew Bayliss, 31, who used to teach at Hethersett Academy, was also placed on the sex offender’s register for 10 years, after he admitted possessing indecent images of children and one count of distributing a single indecent image to his partner.
Bayliss, of Priory Lane, North Wootton, also admitted possessing prohibited cartoon images and extreme pornographic images, when he appeared at Norwich Crown Court at an earlier hearing.
None of the offences involve any pupil at Hethersett Academy or the community but the court heard they were images he had downloaded from the internet.
Chris Youell, prosecuting, said police were tipped off by Facebook after Bayliss sent an indecent image to his partner.
When his home was searched it was found that Bayliss had a few indecent images on his phone but almost 700 on his laptop.
Mr Youell said that some of the images featured children as young as two.
During a police interview in January 2015 Bayliss admitted using a false social media account and name to distribute the images.
Mr Youell added as soon as the allegations came to light Bayliss was suspended from his job and had been sacked after he pleaded guilty to the charges. The court heard that his career as a teacher was now over.
Andrea Clarke, for Bayliss said that his life lay in ruins and he would not be able to teach again.
“His life is in tatters. He had been a highly respected teacher.”
She said he was the main carer for his partner, who had a number of health problems.
She said that since his arrest Bayliss no longer used the internet apart from banking.
Jailing him, Judge Stephen Holt said: “Your life is in ruins and its entirely your fault. You will never teach again and now have a serious conviction.”
He added: “The message has to go out that possession of this sort of material inevitably leads to a custodial sentence.”
He also made Bayliss subject to a sexual harm prevention order which will monitor his use of the internet.
After Bayliss was arrested, the head of Hethersett Academy Gareth Stevens issued a statement to parents to reassure them that none of the offences involved any pupil.
He said: “Mr Bayliss started working at our school in April 2014, and was suspended from school in November 2014, as soon as the allegations first came to light.”
Headed by Detective Sergeant Andy Barker, the team of four Detective Constables and an intelligence officer, aim to identify victims who are being or have been abused and work with agencies to put safeguarding measures in place.
Det Sgt Andy Barker, said: “A child is victimised not only when they are abused and an image is taken but every time that image is viewed by someone.
“We hope such a case sends a strong message out to such offenders that the internet is not a safe anonymous space for accessing indecent images or grooming children. They leave a digital footprint and we will find it.”
