Paedophile teacher Kieran Taylor taught in Weymouth

Kieran Taylor, who had been working at a Weymouth school as a temporary supply teacher at the time of his arrest, was investigated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of a inquiry into child exploitation and sex offenders.

It is stressed that none of the offences he was convicted of involved children at the school.

READ MORE: Police said 'no children' were involved with probe into Bridport paedophile - who taught at Weymouth school

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Taylor, 45, was stopped as he left his then home in Bridport on March 17 this year. Police seized items including his laptop and phone which were forensically examined.

Bournemouth Crown Court. Picture BNPS

At a previous hearing at Weymouth Magistrates Court, Taylor, of Coedpoeth, Wrexham, Wales, admitted at Bridport making four category A indecent moving and still photographs/pseudo-photographs of children between February 24, 2016 and March 16, 2021.

The defendant also admitted, during the same time frame, making 30 category B and 149 category C indecent moving and still photographs and pseudo-photographs of children.

He also admitted to being in possession of extreme pornography which was grossly offensive, disgusting or otherwise of an obscene character.

During the examination of his devices, the images were found on the online messenger platform Kik.

READ MORE: Paedophile caught with hundreds of indecent images of children 'fuelled a heinous industry'

Prosecutor Grace Kelly said: "He was living in the property in Bridport. Seven items were seized in total including his iPhone and iPad, which were forensically examined. The NCA were alerted to the activity through his IP address on his laptop and phone.

"It would make a more sinister turn due to him being a teacher at the time.

"The defendant fantasised about having sex with young persons and these images were downloaded during his career as a teacher."

Mitigating, Ed Wylde said: "He understands the magnitude of the circumstances. He's sincerely remorseful, feels shame and is sickened for what he has done. He knows his life will never be the same again.

"He has been seeing a private therapist and has a strong desire to seek help. He has been diagnosed with depression three times and he's no longer working as a teacher.

"He has intentions to start up a catering business.

"His family is aware of his situation and he wants to keep a positive relationship with his son."

Judge Brian Forster QC said: "Although there is no evidence to suggest he has ever physically harmed children, he has affected people in other ways.

"Being a teacher, many people, particularly parents, will be left shocked and highly concerned."

He told the defendant: "You downloaded and made pictures of children involved in sexual activity which you had a large number of in your possession.

"It's a betrayal and trust of your position as a teacher, which you lost."

Taylor was sentenced to a three-year community order with probation where he must attend rehabilitation programmes.

He was placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. He was also ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge.

Following the case, Detective Constable Steve Cartwright, of Dorset Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), said: "Our investigation indicated that none of the offences Kieran Taylor was convicted of involved children at the school where he was teaching at the time of his arrest, or were in any way linked to his employment.

"Nevertheless, the nature of the images involved are clearly disturbing and we worked with education partners to ensure appropriate safeguarding measures were put in place when the offences came to light."

He added: "This kind of offending can have a devastating and lifelong impact on the children involved and the POLIT team is committed to working with partners such as the National Crime Agency (NCA) to identify those involved in the sharing and downloading of indecent images and bring them before the courts.

"After receiving information from the NCA, our proactive response ensured the defendant’s devices could be seized and a detailed examination of these revealed the extent of his offending behaviour.

"We would urge anyone to contact Dorset Police or Crimestoppers if they suspect someone is using the internet to obtain indecent images of children.

"We would also urge those who have a sexual interest in children to seek help by visiting a number of sites including the Stop it Now Lucy Faithful Foundation, the Samaritans or their GP."

A Dorset Council spokeswoman said: "Safeguarding children and young people in Dorset is our highest priority.

"We continue to work with Dorset Police, education and other partners to ensure safeguarding measures are in place to protect children and young people across Dorset’s schools, colleges and other education and childcare provision settings."