EARBY TEACHER DARREN TATTERSALL CAUGHT WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN SHOCKING CASE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Earby, Darren Tattersall, a 33-year-old teacher, has been found guilty of possessing indecent images and videos of children engaged in sexual activities. The incident has raised serious concerns about safety and the safeguarding of vulnerable students in the area.

According to court records, Tattersall, who resides on Warwick Drive in Earby, was arrested after police received credible information linking him to a Japanese email address associated with individuals interested in child exploitation. The authorities acted swiftly, apprehending him at his workplace, Bury College, where he served as a lecturer. During police interviews, Tattersall admitted to extensive online searches and viewing of explicit content involving Japanese schoolgirls.

The investigation revealed that Tattersall had been a member of a website dedicated to such material for over a year. He confessed to viewing between 40 and 50 indecent videos and saving approximately 200 to 300 images of children, which he accessed regularly. Court documents detailed that his online activity was driven by an addiction to pornography, with visits to these sites occurring two to three times weekly. Despite his claims that he did not derive gratification from images of underdeveloped girls, he admitted to seeking out more developed school-aged girls.

His actions led to charges of making indecent images of children, to which he pleaded guilty. The court heard that Tattersall had no prior convictions but was deeply remorseful, acknowledging the severity of his misconduct. The prosecution highlighted that his online searches included content that involved bestiality, which he described as 'a bit dodgy,' though he maintained he had never viewed such material.

In court, Tattersall was sentenced to concurrent six-month prison terms on each of the three charges. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for seven years and was subjected to both sex offender prevention and supervision orders for seven and two years, respectively. These measures are designed to monitor his activities and prevent any future offenses.

His employer, Bury College, responded promptly to the incident. College principal Charlie Deane issued a statement emphasizing that the college's investigation confirmed the misconduct was not connected to college activities or students. The institution suspended Tattersall immediately and conducted a thorough internal review to ensure the safety and well-being of its learners. Deane reaffirmed the college’s commitment to safeguarding and maintaining high standards of student protection.

Meanwhile, Tattersall’s personal life has also come under scrutiny. He is reported to have an eight-month-old child with his partner, adding a layer of personal tragedy and complexity to the case. His defense attorney, Imran Hussain, expressed remorse on his client’s behalf, acknowledging the gravity of the situation and the far-reaching implications for his family.

As the case moves forward, Tattersall is scheduled to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on September 10. The community of Earby remains shaken by the revelations, with many residents calling for increased vigilance and stronger safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable children from similar threats in the future.