CHRISTOPHER BUSS FROM LANDPORT AND SOUTHSEA JAILED FOR CHILD PORN AND PUPIL AFFAIR
In a case that has shocked the local community, Christopher Buss, a former teacher at St Edmund's Catholic School located in Arundel Street, Landport, has been sentenced to prison for a series of serious offenses involving a pupil and child exploitation materials.The incident came to light in September 2010 when allegations surfaced that Buss, aged 29, had engaged in a sexual relationship with a student during June 2009.
Following these allegations, Buss was immediately dismissed from his position at the school.
The former physical education teacher was not only involved in classroom activities but also served as the contact for the Hampshire Schools' Football Association and participated in organizing dance shows, making his misconduct particularly disturbing given his role in youth activities.
Buss, who resides on Whitwell Road in Southsea, admitted to multiple charges in connection with his misconduct.
He confessed to abusing his position of trust to engage in sexual activity with a minor and to inciting or causing sexual acts with a child.
Additionally, he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children, including one indecent image classified as 'level two' and eleven images categorized as 'level one,' which is considered the least severe level of child pornography.
These offenses spanned from September 2007 to July 2009, covering a period during which Buss's inappropriate activities took place.
The identity of the girl involved in the relationship remains protected by law, and her name has not been disclosed to the public.
The case was brought before Portsmouth Crown Court, where Judge Peter Henry delivered a stern judgment, describing Buss's actions as 'deeply troubling.' In his sentencing remarks, Judge Henry emphasized the public's reasonable expectation that schools provide a safe environment for children, stating, 'Members of the public who send their children to school do so in the expectation that their children will be safe and will be properly looked after and properly treated.' He pointed out that Buss, as a PE teacher, was entrusted with the care of young students, including the victim, who was 16 at the time of the incident.
The judge highlighted Buss's awareness of the victim's vulnerability and the seriousness of his breach of trust.
The judge further remarked, 'It’s agreed upon that she had finished her exams and was almost out of school.
Well, that’s rather by the by, as the relationship formed over a period of time and you knew perfectly well what your responsibilities were and in my judgment these offences are so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be merited.' As a result, Buss was sentenced to eight months in prison for abusing his position and inciting sexual activity with a minor.
He also received concurrent sentences of one month each for possessing eleven 'level one' child porn images and one 'level two' image, as well as a four-month sentence for creating an indecent image of a child.
Upon release, Buss will be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register and is permanently barred from working with children, reflecting the gravity of his misconduct and the breach of trust involved.
