STEPHEN ROYLE WIGAN HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER CAUGHT WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN SHOCKING CASE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Wigan, a local high school teacher has been found guilty of possessing and viewing a significant number of indecent images of children. The incident came to light after authorities uncovered evidence linking Stephen Royle, aged 53, to the possession of nearly 1,000 illicit images, some of which depicted children as young as 7 to 12 years old.

Royle, who was employed as an IT teacher at Lowton High School at the time of the offences, was arrested in November 2007. Following his arrest, police conducted a thorough search of his residence on Spelding Drive, Standish Lower Ground, Wigan. During the search, officers seized various computer equipment, which was subsequently examined by forensic experts. The investigation revealed that Royle had stored 58 indecent images on his devices, while an additional 890 images had been viewed and then deleted, indicating a pattern of ongoing activity.

At Liverpool Crown Court, Royle pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including one count of possessing indecent images and 16 counts of making indecent images of children. The court heard that some of these images were stored on his school-issued laptop, as well as his personal home computer, raising concerns about the potential exposure of students and the breach of professional conduct.

Judge handed down a sentence of 34 weeks' imprisonment, which was suspended for two years. Additionally, Royle was placed under a supervision order for two years and mandated to participate in the Sex Offender Treatment Programme. The court also ordered him to register as a sex offender for five years and imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that has no fixed end date.

The order explicitly prohibits Royle from accessing any computer or device capable of connecting to the internet for purposes related to web-based email accounts or chatrooms. Police officers are granted access to his devices at any time to monitor his online activity. Furthermore, Royle is restricted from collecting photographs of children, whether they are deemed indecent or not, unless they are members of his immediate family.

In a statement, Detective Sergeant Robert Willis of Greater Manchester Police’s Sexual Crimes Unit emphasized the seriousness of such offences. He clarified that there was no evidence to suggest Royle was involved in any illegal or inappropriate activities with children at his school. However, he stressed that the possession and distribution of such depraved material contribute directly to the abuse and exploitation of children, and that removing the demand for such content is crucial in combating child abuse.

Royle is also prohibited from having unsupervised contact with children under 16 in his residence or any other setting, and he is barred from initiating or maintaining any form of communication with children for the purpose of grooming or sexual exploitation. The case has raised concerns among parents and community members about safety and the importance of vigilance in protecting children from online threats and exploitation.