Wigan Council statement regarding court proceedings on December 22 at Liverpool Crown Court

Wigan Council statement regarding court proceedings on December 22 at Liverpool Crown Court

We are aware of the details discussed in court today in relation to school related images being shared between the defendants.

It remains the case that the offences for which she has been charged, and has subsequently pled guilty to, are not related to her employment.

Wigan Council sought reassurances from Merseyside Police as this discovery regarding the images has taken place since our previous public statement.

Having reviewed the images, Merseyside Police, following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, are certain that no criminal offences have been committed, in that none of the images were indecent and that there is no evidence that any of the children were harmed.

We’re able to provide the following context:

• The sharing and content of the images did not form part of the criminal investigation but were referenced in court solely to illustrate that the behaviour of the defendant was of her free will.
• The images were not indecent or inappropriate in nature, have been taken in the school setting and are of children in normal classroom settings.
• Merseyside Police have confirmed that families should not expect any further communication arising from the photographs.
• The images date from 2018 to 2019.

Now these details have come to light, we fully understand that the school community will be appalled by these distressing details.

These are despicable offences and behaviour, especially from someone in a position of trust.

We will now ensure that everyone within the school community and anyone affected receives the appropriate support now the criminal proceedings have concluded.

We know that parents may have follow-up concerns and questions and we will make sure we address these as best we can in partnership with our police colleagues.

We would like to thank Merseyside Police for their work during the investigation.

Undoubtedly this has been an awful chapter in the history of the school – but we now hope this close-knit school community can move forward together without being further tarnished by the despicable actions of one individual.