Yahoo News Teacher's life in tatters after girlfriend finds him half-naked on sofa
A primary school teacher's life has been shattered after his girlfriend discovered him semi-naked on the sofa following a night out. Daniel Johnson was found with one hand on his private parts and the other clutching his mobile phone, having dozed off after coming home intoxicated.
His partner grew suspicious and upon checking his phone, she unearthed his secret stash of indecent images of children. His career has now come to a disgraceful end, although he was released from court today.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Johnson came back from a night out on May 12 this year and was later found asleep on the sofa by his partner Emma Rogers. She found the 33-year-old, with one hand on his exposed private parts and the other holding his phone, which was playing a video of a clothed young girl.
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Prosecutor Helen Chenery detailed how she then delved into his device and found a folder containing three images of children aged 11 and 12. One was categorised as being in category A, depicting the most severe forms of abuse, while the other two were category B images.
When Ms Rogers confronted him after he had sobered up, Johnson admitted that the illegal material had been on the phone when he bought it second-hand but confessed to having viewed the images "on more than one occasion". She then reported him to the police on May 25, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Ms Chenary added: "At the time, the defendant was working as a school teacher. Following his arrest, he immediately volunteered his resignation."
Johnson has no previous convictions. David Woods, defending, stated: "The defendant's behaviour was manifested in some deep rooted problems.
"Many of the issues the defendant had could have been resolved if he had discussed them with his partner but resulted in him accessing pornography and illegal images, which is why he finds himself here. In hindsight, the defendant welcomes the involvement of the police in this matter.
"It has arrested behaviour which he regarded as concerning. His arrest and conviction have had a profound effect on him. He has lost his relationship, first of all. Inevitably, he has lost his job and, more importantly perhaps, his reputation. It was a job he was good at and in which he was respected."
Mr Woods told the court that Johnson's colleagues, a school governor and a parent of a former pupil were present in the public gallery. He said: "They wish to support him rather than see him in any further difficulty. It has been a difficult time in his life. His mother is at the end of her life.
"He is extremely remorseful and he has shown by courses he has undertaken to date and the attitude he has shown that he wishes to address any issues that exist by way of rehabilitative courses and any assistance he can obtain. He is an extremely hard working, law-abiding person and he has let himself down."
Johnson admitted two counts of making indecent images of children. Sporting a navy blue suit and tie paired with a white shirt in the dock, he was given an 18-month community sentence complete with 70 hours of unpaid work and up to 35 days of rehabilitation activities.
Passing sentence, His Honour Judge Denis Watson KC said: "The circumstances are very far from the typical circumstances which the courts hear about relating to the possession of indecent images. Having been confronted by your then partner, you made prompt admissions to her. You are, of course, someone of good character. That being said, there is work to be done."
Johnson also received a five-year sexual harm prevention order and was required to sign the sex offenders' register for the same duration. Upon hearing his sentence, he responsively uttered "thank you, your honour".
Previously, the ECHO reported that his role at Heygarth Primary School in Eastham, Wirral, concluded in June this year. Come October, a letter was dispatched to parents about the Merseyside Police's investigation into Johnson, reassuring them that "no Heygarth child was identified" as affected in the proceedings.
