Jail term for ex-caretaker found with indecent photos

A former school caretaker who had almost 1,400 indecent images of children has been given a 15-month jail term, suspended for two years.

Mark Tobin pleaded guilty at Minshull Street Crown Court to three charges of making indecent photos of children between 2 June 2017 and 13 November 2018.

The 52-year-old, whose address was given as Moore Street in Blackpool, must also sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

He was also given 120 hours of unpaid work, a 20-day rehabilitation programme and a £140 victim surcharge. 

A letter addressed to parents at Rayner Stephens High School in Dukinfield, where Tobin worked previously, was brought to the attention of the Reporter this week.

The letter from headteacher Fay Beach read: “The school has been made aware that information regarding an ex-member of support staff has been published. Due to legal restrictions and the fact that this person no longer works for the school, we were not in a position to communicate information regarding this incident until now.

“I can assure our community that the school took immediate action as soon as we became aware of this incident and assisted police with their inquiries. The former, non-teaching, staff member was suspended immediately pending an investigation and no longer works at the school.

“This isolated incident does not involve any other member of the school community and none of our pupils were affected. The safety of pupils is an absolute priority and we work closely with our partners to ensure robust safeguarding arrangements are in place. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to comment any further on this matter.”