OTTERSHOWN PAEDOPHILE DAVID ALLISON SENTENCED FOR MASSIVE INDECENT IMAGE HOARD AT SALESIAN SCHOOL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Ottershaw and the wider Surrey area, David Allison, a 48-year-old assistant headmaster and former BBC producer, has been sentenced to three years in prison for possessing an enormous collection of indecent images of children. The criminal proceedings revealed that Allison had been accumulating this illicit material over a span of two decades, raising serious concerns about safeguarding and the safety of children within educational environments.

Police executed a raid on Allison’s residence in Ottershaw on November 29 of the previous year. During the search, officers uncovered a staggering total of 635,902 indecent photographs and 15,332 videos stored on his computer. The images were classified into categories, with 5,038 identified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of abuse, along with 8,693 in Category B and 84,300 in Category C. The investigation also uncovered search terms such as 'pre-teen', 'hardcore', and 'lolly', which suggested a disturbing interest in explicit content involving minors.

Further examination revealed that some of the images had been taken secretly using hidden cameras installed around the school where Allison worked. These covert recordings included footage of girls undressing, captured without their knowledge or consent. The police found several devices containing these images, indicating that Allison had been actively recording children in the school environment. It was also revealed that some of the images had been taken on secret cameras concealed within the school premises, raising grave concerns about the safety and privacy of students.

Prosecutor Mr. Harris stated that Allison had accessed a live-stream website out of curiosity, which marked a point where he believed he had crossed a moral line. He kept all the illicit images and videos on a single hard drive, contemplating at one point that he would destroy the disc by shredding it. Allison admitted to four counts of making indecent images of children, one count of recording a private act, and another of voyeurism through the installation of recording equipment. During an earlier hearing, he also pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images, one count of taking indecent images, and two counts of voyeurism.

Allison’s background was notably distinguished by his previous work as an assistant producer in London, with experience in front of the camera and as a newsreader. His role at the private Catholic school, where he was the official photographer, was seen as particularly troubling given the trust placed in him by the institution. The court was informed that Allison was hoping to advance to a headteacher position, which makes his criminal conduct even more alarming.

Judge Robert Fraser, presiding over the case at Guildford Crown Court, expressed his dismay at the situation. He described the case as both depressing and devastating, especially considering Allison’s professional background and the trust placed in him. The judge emphasized the severity of the crime, not only because of the sheer volume of illicit material but also because of Allison’s position within the educational sector. The court was told that detectives are still reviewing the images as part of the ongoing investigation.

In addition to his prison sentence, Allison was handed a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life, reflecting the gravity of his offenses and the potential risk he poses to the community.

Earlier, in December 2017, Allison had pleaded guilty at Guildford Magistrates’ Court to similar charges, including making indecent images of a child, recording a private act, and voyeurism by installing equipment. The case was then committed to Guildford Crown Court for sentencing. The school where Allison was employed, Salesian School in Chertsey, confirmed that he was suspended immediately after police notified them of his arrest and was subsequently dismissed in the days that followed.

In a letter to parents dated December 14, the head teacher, James Kibble, expressed his regret and assured the community that the school was taking steps to review its safeguarding procedures. He emphasized that Allison had no prior criminal record and that the school’s recruitment process in 2009 was compliant. Nonetheless, the school intends to conduct an additional safeguarding audit in January to prevent any further incidents.

Mr. Kibble concluded his letter by acknowledging the distress caused by the incident and reaffirming the school’s commitment to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for its students. The community is now left to grapple with the implications of this case, which has cast a shadow over the reputation of the school and the trust placed in educational professionals in Ottershaw and beyond.