MIRAZ TRIGGS FROM SAFFRON WALDEN INVOLVED IN CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL AT CHELMSFORD AND ST ALBANS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Saffron Walden, Chelmsford, and St Albans, Miraz Triggs, a 46-year-old man with a history of working in education, has been found guilty of possessing and distributing a vast number of indecent images of children. The court proceedings revealed the extent of his criminal activities, which spanned over several years and involved some of the most serious forms of child abuse imagery.

Triggs, who resided on Ickleton Road in Elmdon near Saffron Walden, was previously employed as a head teacher at the Da Vinci Studio School of Science and Engineering in Stevenage. His career in education also included a stint as a science teacher at Barnwell School in Stevenage until the summer of 2017, and he had served as assistant head at the same school from 2003 to 2012. Despite his professional background, his reputation was shattered by the revelations of his criminal conduct.

The case was brought to light after Triggs was arrested in June, during which authorities discovered a staggering collection of illicit images on his personal computers. Prosecutor Peter Gair detailed that Triggs possessed 33 images classified as the most severe category of abuse, along with nearly 21,000 other images considered less serious under law. The images included disturbing content involving children, and among the material was a shocking image depicting a person performing oral sex on a horse, classified as extreme pornography involving an animal.

During the court hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court, Triggs initially denied any knowledge of the images, but he later admitted to the charges. The court was informed that he had made six counts of making and distributing indecent images of children, with the evidence showing a clear pattern of criminal behavior. Judge Emma Peters, presiding over the case, expressed her awareness that her verdict might not be universally accepted, but emphasized the gravity of the crimes.

Judge Peters described how Triggs had led a 'double life,' maintaining a facade of a responsible educator by day while indulging in activities that involved considerable sexual gratification derived from images of child abuse at his home. She stated, “Those images are only there because there is a trade in them and they only come to be because children are being abused.” The judge also acknowledged the emotional impact on the families and communities affected, noting that the public and parents would seek justice and retribution.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Peters highlighted the importance of rehabilitation, asserting that children are best protected when offenders are reformed. She pointed out that while some might disagree, the focus should be on the potential for Triggs to be rehabilitated. Since his arrest, Triggs has experienced significant personal and social consequences, including a complete loss of reputation and an exodus of friends and associates. Despite these setbacks, he has engaged in charity work, sought to address his issues related to child abuse images, and has even busked to support his family.

As part of his sentence, Triggs was ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work, undergo 50 days of rehabilitation, and pay £425 in court costs. Additionally, he was released on bail with strict conditions, including a prohibition on having unsupervised contact with children under 16. The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who abuse positions of trust and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation and harm.