A “SELFISH” pedophile was caught giving online tutoring lessons to GCSE students in violation of a court ruling.
Dr Darren Thompson, of East Wittering, has been ordered not to have contact with anyone under the age of 18 after being convicted of possession of indecent images of children.
He was prohibited from using computer equipment or telephones without monitoring software.
But he was found giving tutorials to young people in violation of the order.
When police raided his home, they also discovered that Thompson had hidden a cell phone hidden in the bathroom at his home.
He also hid another phone that was stored under a chair in his bedroom.
At Lewes Crown Court, the 50-year-old admitted to breaking a sexual harm prevention order.
Beverley Cherrill, prosecutor, said the former academic broke the rules in December of last year.
Lewes Crown Court.
He broke the orders imposed when he was given a suspended sentence for possession of indecent images in 2018, the court said.
Ms Cherrill said there were screenshots showing him giving tutorials to young people, which he was not allowed to do.
But the court heard that it was not alleged that anything indecent had happened at the Zoom meetings, as the parents of the youngsters were also present.
Defending Jason Halsey said Thompson was trying to “live a normal life” and therefore ignored the courts’ concerns about his past conduct.
“There is no possible justification or excuse,” said Mr. Halsey, adding that Thompson just wanted to have a smartphone at his disposal.
“There was nothing more sinister than this and no subterfuge,” said Mr. Halsey.
Dr Darren Thompson was found using Zoom Meetings for tutorials in violation of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Stock image. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski / PA Wire
His Honor Judge Mark Van Der Zwart said the sex offender could escape jail time because he had previously met all the conditions for a conditional sentence.
He said: “My first overriding concern is the protection of the public and how best to achieve it.
“My gut reaction is to send you to jail because I think you deserve it. But I am of the opinion that through carefully designed steps in the sentencing guidelines, you are able to respond to the intervention of the probation service.
“You should think about what society expects from you. Don’t be so selfish, do what you’re told to do.
Thompson, of Shawside Walk, East Wittering, has been ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehab sessions as part of a new suspended prison sentence.
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-29 04:00:00
