A Hastings-based teacher, Melvyn Carter, who was found with 14,500 graphic images of minors, claimed during police interviews that he was viewing these pictures for research reasons, which facilitated their removal from online sources.

However, Carter, who was a science teacher at Heathfield Community College managed by East Sussex County Council at the time of his arrest in August 2011, later admitted this was a falsehood. While still employed by the school, he revealed that he had been viewing such images for several years.

Carter has now served fifteen months in custody. After his initial arrest, he left his teaching role at the Cade Street school in November 2011. The incident shocked students at the college, with one former pupil describing Carter as “sick,” though she chose to remain anonymous. Another student expressed disbelief, stating, “I can’t believe it.”

The head teacher at Heathfield, Alan Powell, explained that Carter had previously worked at the college as a cover supervisor and, prior to that, as a teacher. He confirmed that the school responded immediately upon discovering the allegations, reporting the matter to the Independent Safeguarding Authority after Carter was dismissed in November 2011 following an internal investigation. Powell emphasized that none of the allegations were connected to students or activities within the school and that no prior concerns about Carter had been raised.

A Sussex Police representative said Carter resigned immediately following his arrest, which was conducted at his home in August 2011. Authorities stated there was no evidence linking the school to Carter’s illegal activities, which he conducted on his personal computer.

At Lewes Crown Court, Carter, of Malvern Way, Hastings, received a ten-year sexual offences prevention order to restrict his access to minors and computers, and he will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.