July 2005 Child porn teacher spared prison A primary school teacher who admitted downloading pornographic images of young girls has avoided jail. Police found more than 9,000 pornographic images on Anthony Harvey’s computer when they raided his home. Harvey, whose address cannot be revealed for legal reasons, had taught at Berrow Primary School in Somerset. He was sacked after the school learnt of the court case. The 43-year-old was sentenced to a three-year community rehabilitation order on Monday. ‘Pornographic videos’ Bridgwater magistrates heard Harvey first fell under suspicion when Customs and Excise intercepted two pornographic videos featuring young girls that he had ordered on the internet. Police raided his home in March this year where they discovered 9,613 pornographic images on his computer. During interview Harvey told police he had become addicted to downloading the images and would access the pornographic pictures two or three times a week. He previously pleaded guilty to 17 charges of making indecent images of children and one charge of possessing indecent images of children. The court ordered Harvey to sign the sex offenders’ register for five years and complete a sex offender’s treatment order. Harvey was also told to pay £55 costs. Chairman of the magistrates Alan Webb said: “The bench have found this a distressing case to listen to and you are well aware that it could have brought a custodial sentence. “The reason you are not going into custody is because of your previous good character and you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.”