FORMER WIRRAL TEACHER BARRED FOR LIFE AFTER INDECENT IMAGES CASE
A former Wirral teacher who told police he was "downloading music" when found to possess dozens of indecent images of children has been banned from the classroom for life.Juan Torrecillas-Molina pleaded guilty and was convicted of possession of three Category B, three Category C, and 36 Category A indecent photos or computer generated images of children, as well as possessing 42 indecent images of children last year.
The offences took place over the course of 12 years between April 2011 and June 2023.
He was previously a teacher at St Anselm's College, a leading school based in Prenton.
Following this conviction, a teacher misconduct hearing was held to determine whether Mr Molina should be barred from teaching.
While being aware of the hearing, he did not attend last month.
The panel heard he received a suspended prison sentence of 20 months, along with unpaid work, rehabilitation, and a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
According to barrister James Lloyd, representing the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), Mr Molina said he was no longer teaching, was barred from working with children, and did not plan to return to teaching.
When police executed a search warrant at Mr Molina's address, he was not at home as he was working at school at the time.
Police also informed him that someone had been accessing indecent images at his house via the internet.
Mr Lloyd said Mr Molina told police he "was downloading music" and was "shocked" upon seeing the images.
The police found a hard drive on his home computer, which is considered a serious safeguarding risk.
The panel noted there was "a lack of evidence of any insight and remorse" from Mr Molina.
On June 1, the panel decided that a ban was both proportionate and appropriate due to the gravity of his offences, which occurred over a long period.
Marc Carvey, TRA's chief executive, stated the seriousness of the case justified a prohibition order to protect pupils.
He added that Mr Molina's lack of remorse posed a risk of reoffending, and he was prohibited from teaching indefinitely in any school, college, youth accommodation, or children's home in England.
Mr Molina is also not entitled to apply for restoration of his teaching eligibility.
Serena Cubbin, headteacher at St Anselm's, clarified that the offences were not linked to the school or its pupils.
She said the school acted immediately and cooperated with authorities.
