ALEXANDER MCCALL FROM FEATHERSTONE AND ROUNDHAY SENTENCED FOR CHILD GROOMING AND INDECENT IMAGES

In June 2010, a disturbing case involving a history teacher from the Leeds area culminated in a four-year prison sentence for serious sexual offenses and possession of indecent images of children. The individual, Alexander McCall, who was employed at Featherstone Technology College, was found guilty of grooming a 13-year-old girl over a period of several months, encouraging her to perform sexual acts via webcam. The court heard that McCall, aged 28, had developed a disturbing pattern of behavior that posed a significant threat to the safety of young children.

McCall's criminal activities came to light after his arrest in February 2009. Authorities discovered that he had stored a substantial collection of indecent images on computers located both at his home in Roundhay and at the school where he taught. Among these images was one depicting child rape, highlighting the severity of his offenses. The investigation revealed that McCall had been engaging in these illicit activities since August 2007, just two months after he began working as a history teacher. Importantly, none of the offenses involved students at Featherstone Technology College, but rather targeted a vulnerable young girl he had met online.

During the court proceedings, McCall admitted to multiple charges, including three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, four counts of making indecent photographs of a child, and possession of indecent images. The court was informed that McCall had posed as a 20-year-old university student named Alex on a teen website to establish contact with the girl. At the time of the offenses, he was living with a partner and had a young son, which added a layer of concern regarding his capacity for responsible parenting.

Judge Geoffrey Marson delivered a stern judgment, condemning McCall's actions as perverted and highlighting the danger he posed to other children. The judge stated, “You recorded that activity for your own perverted pleasure and you had absolutely no regard for the damage you were doing to this vulnerable child.” He further emphasized that McCall’s sexual attraction appeared to be focused on young girls, and that he had groomed this particular girl over several months for sexual activity.

Following his conviction, McCall was sentenced to four years in prison. Upon release, he will be subject to a three-year extended license period and is permanently banned from having unsupervised access to children under the age of 16. The court's decision reflects the seriousness of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses to the safety of minors.

In response to the case, Elaine McHale, the Corporate Director for Family Services at Wakefield Council, issued a statement clarifying that the incidents did not involve Featherstone Technology College or its students. She reassured the public that safeguarding measures remain a priority for the school and that appropriate actions have been taken to address the situation following the court's ruling.