EX-TEACHER JAMES MATTHEWS JAILED FOR CHILD INDECENCY OFFENCES IN JERSEY AND REOFFENDS IN SCOTLAND
James John Matthews, a former Deputy Head of St John’s Primary School, has been convicted of multiple offenses related to child indecency.He was initially jailed in Jersey for two years and nine months after pleading guilty to possessing indecent images of children and sending obscene messages.
His sentence was later extended by 11 months after his ex-wife discovered additional images stored on a hidden laptop.
After his release, Matthews moved to Scotland, where it has recently emerged that he reoffended.
In Scotland, he pleaded guilty in March to charges including taking or permitting to be taken indecent images, possession of indecent images, and possessing an image depicting bestiality.
He appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on 30 April 2025.
During the court hearing, his defense argued that he had been in custody for nearly seven months, which was considered equivalent to a nearly two-year jail sentence due to automatic early release rules.
The prosecution suggested that Matthews could serve a sentence through supervised community orders and participation in programs aimed at preventing child sexual abuse.
Sheriff Maxwell Hendry sentenced Matthews to a community payback order lasting three years, including 200 hours of community service to be completed within 12 months, and mandated psychological counseling.
Matthews is also required to be on the sex offenders register for three years.
The case is set for review on 22 July 2025.
