A former teacher has been jailed for two years for possessing indecent images of children and voyeurism.
43-year-old Richard Lees of Heald Green, Cheadle, had previously pleaded guilty to five offences of voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children, and possession of extreme pornography.
Cheshire Police found a number of indecent images of children were discovered on a laptop and hard drive, including images of category A, B and C, plus extreme pornography
This included voyeurism offences where he had secretly filmed women in the bathroom of his previous address in Macclesfield without their knowledge.
Further upskirting images believed to relate to female pupils were also discovered. Data suggested these images were taken on school grounds when Lees was still in employment there as a rugby coach.
Detective Constable Alison Shields said:
“Firstly, we would like to commend the victims of the voyeurism for their courage throughout this investigation and subsequent court process.
“Lees held a position of trust and should have been someone children could go to for support. Instead, he was hiding a twisted secret. He even had the audacity to store some of the indecent images of children on a school-issued laptop.
“Thankfully, Lees’ shocking crimes were uncovered and our officers worked hard to gather a catalogue of evidence against him and bring him before the courts.
“I hope this will also encourage anyone who may have been a victim of any similar offences to come forward and report it to us.”
