MARK TORLEY FROM DUNDALK AND SOUTH MOLTON JAILED FOR SHOCKING SCHOOLGIRL FILMING CRIME

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Dundalk and South Molton, Mark Torley, a former teacher, has been sentenced to prison after secretly filming young teenage girls in school changing rooms. The incident took place over a period of approximately three years, during which Torley exploited his position of trust at South Molton Community College in North Devon to carry out his illicit activities.

According to court proceedings, Torley, who was employed as a drama teacher from 2006 until 2015, used a specially downloaded application on his mobile phone to covertly record the girls as they changed in a designated props room. This room, part of the college’s drama department, was primarily under his control, including a main studio, an office, and the changing area where students expected privacy. The prosecutor, Mary McCarthy, detailed how Torley’s abuse of authority allowed him to carry out these acts undetected for an extended period.

Ms. McCarthy explained that over the course of a year, Torley used the app to initiate recordings of the teenage girls, who believed they were in a private setting. The recordings captured some girls topless and others in their bras, with at least one girl being filmed with her breasts exposed. The court was shown evidence of indecent footage found on Torley’s laptop in 2014, which included images of girls in various states of undress. In some instances, he set up his camera to capture upskirt images, further violating the girls’ privacy.

Several victims testified about their experiences, describing feelings of shock, horror, and violation. One girl recounted feeling ‘totally violated’ by what had happened, while others expressed that the incident left them with a ‘horrible feeling’ and a sense of helplessness, especially since they had no control over the images taken of them. One victim described the experience as ‘really creepy,’ and another expressed concern that she might have been filmed without her knowledge. The court heard that some girls were left in a state of fear and revulsion, worried that they might also have been targeted.

It was also revealed that Torley was very personable with his students, which contributed to the level of harm inflicted, as his friendly demeanor helped him build rapport and trust. This manipulation made his betrayal even more damaging. The prosecution highlighted that the extent of the emotional and psychological harm was significant, given his close relationships with the students.

Mark Torley, now residing in Dundalk, County Louth, admitted to four counts of voyeurism committed between 2012 and 2015. He also pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children, which included photographs of children aged between eight and thirteen posing and exposing their genitalia. Despite these admissions, he was acquitted of charges related to sexually touching the girls at the school in a previous trial.

During that earlier trial, Torley told the jury, ‘I tried to be a good teacher. I tried to be a good man but failed,’ reflecting his acknowledgment of his misconduct. The court subsequently imposed a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having any contact with young girls. The sentence underscores the severity of his actions and the lasting impact on his victims, as the community grapples with the betrayal of trust by someone in a position of authority.