Theale Primary School teacher Timothy Walkins was caught with indecent images of children

A PRIMARY school teacher caught with sexual images of children has been barred from the profession for life.

Timothy Wilkins was a part-time maths teacher at Theale Primary School when police seized an electronic device from the boot of his car.

On it were the incriminating images.

Mr Wilkins, who also provided tutoring services to children aged six to 16, was never charged but was given a formal caution instead.

His disgrace only emerged publicly when the Government’s Teaching Regulation Agency’s professional conduct panel took up the case at a disciplinary hearing.

The panel heard that a supply firm – anonymised as ‘Company A’ at the hearing – had provided Mr Wilkins’ services to the school.

Its report stated: “In August 2017, intelligence was received by the police that indecent images of children were uploaded to a computer at Company A’s IP address.

Mr Wilkins was arrested on June 6, 2018, on suspicion of possessing child sex images plus another offence, which was redacted from the panel’s report.

Although he was never brought to court, the panel noted that Mr Wilkins had accepted his guilt of a criminal offence and had received a formal police caution.

The report stated that Mr Wilkins had told them he “did not believe his attendance at the hearing would change the outcome... and that he had decided that he would not be attending.”

The panel therefore concluded that Mr Wilkins’ absence was voluntary and that he was aware that the matter would proceed in his absence.

The report added: “The panel considered the email from Mr Wilkins dated October 13, 2023, where he stated: ‘I can only express my deep regret and sadness at what happened and know I will have to live with the consequences for the rest of my life.’”

The panel noted the remorse that Mr Wilkins expressed but was “unable to assess further the extent of Mr Wilkins’ insight or remorse due to the lack of evidence submitted in this regard.”

The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Wilkins “fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession”.

Accordingly, the panel was satisfied that Mr Wilkins was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

The conclusion recorded by David Oatley, on behalf of the secretary of state for education, stated: “Mr Timothy Wilkins is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

“Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Wilkins shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach.”