A FORMER teacher at a Basildon school was spared jail by a judge, who suspended a 20-month sentence 18 months.

Astin Betts, 32, who worked at Woodlands School in Basildon, admitted three counts of making indecent images of children, two counts of distributing indecent images of children and one count of possession of extreme pornography when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court.

He has been put on the Sex Offenders' Register for 10 years and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.

A police investigation found Betts had more than 1,700 indecent images and more than 460 indecent videos of child and animal abuse.

Detective Constable Nicola Hadfield, from Essex Police Police Online Investigation Team, said: "There is no doubt that communities are safer as a result of our investigation and the orders imposed on Betts.

"I hope this serves as a warning to anyone that thinks they can hide behind their profiles online – we will find you and you will answer for your crimes."

In a message to parents, school headteacher David Wright said: "We can confirm that Austin Betts, a former teacher, has pleaded guilty to making and the distribution of indecent images.

"We want to assure the school community that we carried out all the required safeguarding checks before his employment and have co-operated fully with the police investigation. He has not been on the school site since July 2021.

"While the school's leadership team are very shocked by this news, there is absolutely no suggestion that any of the crimes relate to students or staff at the school. If any members of the school community are affected by these events we would, of course, facilitate any support needed."