Schoolteacher Downloaded Thousands Of Child Porn Images

A secondary school teacher, caught with over 12,000 sexually explicit images of children during a sudden police raid, dodged prison with a suspended sentence yesterday.

Science teacher Kenneth Ring, 26,(pictured) of Poynter Road, Enfield taught at Edmonton County school, but he quit in disgrace and his promising career is in tatters.

The first-time offender pleaded guilty to twelve sample charges of possessing indecent images of children on January 19, last year when officers from the Met’s Paedophile Unit executed a search warrant at his family’s home.

“You say you started this out of some form of perverted interest, you say you did not get any sexual satisfaction. I think you are lying,” Southwark Crown Court Judge John Price told Ring.

“How you can look at these images, including a three year-old girl in a sexual act, God only knows. It is so wicked and perverted and you are contributing to a perverted industry.”

Prosecutor Miss Usha Shergill told the court (pictured bottom) an online investigation into an internet forum which posted indecent images led officers to the house Ring shares with his parents.

Fifteen computer-related items were seized and five contained still and moving images, which Ring immediately confessed he was responsible for.

When quizzed at Edmonton Police Station the defendant denied gaining sexual gratification from the material and insisted he had never personally abused a child.

“He said he became obsessed by the images and viewed them for several years,” added Miss Shergill.

A total of 12,130 indecent still and moving images were found on various computer equipment ranging from the lowest to highest levels of indecency.

There were 217 at Level 5 – the most serious – including a girl aged under twelve years-old involved in sexual activity with an animal.

Simon Ray, defending, told the court: “Mr. Ring recognises this is not a victimless crime and it does create a market for more images.

“It was easy for Mr. Ring to delude himself because the abuse had already taken place and he was insulated from the material he was using.

“His remorse is heartfelt and genuine,” added Mr. Ray. “He has made efforts to obtain help and counselling, even before his arrest.

“He was a hardworking and dedicated teacher and that career is irretrievably ruined by his disgraceful behaviour.

“He will never work with children again.”

Judge Price sentenced Ring, his head bowed in shame, to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete 200 hours community service work.

He was also ordered to attend thirty-five two-hour sessions with the community sex offenders group and pay £350 costs.

“My main aim is to protect the public and children,” added the Judge. “You did not directly interfere with children, but you encouraged those who do by subscribing to such sites.

“What can be done to stop you?”

Bespectacled Ring was made subject to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, banning him from contacting children aged under sixteen via the Internet or any other electronic device.

He is also disqualified from unsupervised contact with children aged under sixteen without the consent of their parent or guardian.

Ring, who told Judge Price: “It will never happen again,” will sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.