Kenneth Chapman, 40, was branded a "sexual predator" by Judge Roger Thomas, who
told the defendant: "Any parent who hears of this case must fear for their
children coming into contact with a man like in these circumstances."
He added the public had to be re-assured before jailing Chapman at Minshull
Street Crown Court today.
Chapman, of Shaftsbury Road, Swinton, had pleaded guilty to a charge of meeting
a child following sexual grooming and also admitted possessing and distributing
sickening images of child pornography found on his computer.
The court heard Chapman, who has resigned as a history teacher at Rivington and
Blackrod High School in Horwich, Bolton, met the 14-year-girl from
Staffordshire - who had no connection with Chapman's school - on his computer
through an internet chatroom used by children.
At first both lied about their names and ages, with Chapman claiming to be 19
or 20 while the girl said she was older, the court heard. However, they both
soon admitted their real names and ages.
Tim Brennand, for the Crown, said Chapman appeared "supportive and caring" and
agreed to help the girl with her school homework, calling her his "princess".
Later, Chapman persuaded the girl to get a web-camera so he could see her in a
"state of undress", the court heard.
The pair arranged to meet and Chapman took the girl to a pub for lunch, turning
up in a Mazda sports car and later dropping the girl near her home so "they
could not be seen".
They parted with a kiss, although it was not of a highly sexual nature, the
court was told.
The girl's family called police after her auntie saw a text message from
Chapman, although the girl insisted she had been communicating with a "boy on
his 20s". It was when the girl's mother realised her daughter was defying her
and continuing to communicate with Chapman that she called police.
Arrest
Officers raided Chapman's home and seized his computer, arresting him later at
his school.
The court heard detectives found 18 images of child pornography of varying
depravity, including one image categorised as "level five", the worst kind.
They found he had sent some of the images, although Chapman had deleted them,
to others.
They also discovered a picture of a girl whose identity they could not
ascertain.
Chapman made no comment when police interviewed him but later admitted to
probation workers he wanted to have sex with the girl.
Chapman, who served in the Army showed no emotion as he was jailed for two
years for sexually grooming the child and a further six months for possessing
and distributing indecent images.
He was also placed indefinitely onto the sex offenders' register and banned
from ever working with children again.
Judge Thomas told him his career in the Army and later as a teacher had shown
him to be an "upstanding" member of the community for many people but that the
crimes which had brought him to court showed a "darker side".
He continued: "A side that portrays you - and these aren't meant to be emotive
words but they serve to describe you - as a man who is somewhat of a sexual
predator."
After viewing the pornography which was found on Chapman's computer, the judge
continued: "These aren't images sometimes referred to as soft pornography. This
is disgusting de-grading material in relation to children doing the most awful
things."
The charge had no relation to the school he worked at.
