ANDREW HILLARY CAUGHT IN MOTTINGHAM AND SOUTHSEA CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Mottingham and Southsea, Andrew Hillary, a man with a troubling history, has been found to possess an extensive collection of child abuse images, raising serious concerns about his employment history and the safety of those around him.

Hillary, who previously worked as a teacher at a private school in London, was arrested in August 2013 while on a school trip to Edinburgh. During the police operation, officers seized his computer, hard drives, USB sticks, and DVDs from his residence, uncovering a horrifying cache of illegal material. The images and videos included over 87,000 files, with many classified as Level 4 and 5, indicating the most severe categories of child abuse content. Among the disturbing footage was a film titled “bed bondage boy,” and other clips depicted children gagged, blindfolded, and engaged in sexual acts with adults.

Andrew Hillary, aged 52 at the time of his arrest, was subsequently charged and brought before Woolwich Crown Court. His criminal record revealed that he had previously been employed as a teacher at Eltham College in London’s Eltham area. His arrest and subsequent conviction marked a significant fall from grace for a man who had once been regarded as an “inspirational” educator, according to his legal representatives. Hillary admitted to owning and distributing child pornography, and in May 2013, he was sentenced to 21 months in prison. He was released on license in March of the following year.

Despite his criminal history, Hillary found employment at Andicars, a taxi firm located in Leigh Park, Hampshire, specifically in the Southsea area. He began working there in May 2014, and colleagues at the company were unaware of his past until they conducted an online search of his name. This search led them to the UK database of convicted child abusers, revealing his previous convictions. The discovery caused outrage among staff members, with one employee expressing her disgust at having to work alongside him. She emphasized that Hillary should never have been allowed to gain employment or access to personal information of clients and staff, criticizing the company for failing to conduct proper background checks.

Hillary’s employment at Andicars continued until October 2014, when the truth about his criminal record became known. The incident has prompted calls for stricter vetting procedures within the employment sector, especially for roles involving contact with the public. The case also highlights ongoing concerns about the rehabilitation and monitoring of individuals convicted of serious sexual offenses, and the potential risks they pose if not properly supervised.

In response to the revelations, authorities have taken further steps to prevent Hillary from having unsupervised contact with children. He has been issued a sexual offences prevention order, and at a professional conduct hearing last month, he was formally banned from teaching or working with minors. The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough background checks and the need for vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable populations from known offenders.