CHRISTOPHER DANIELS SPARED JAIL IN LOSSIE-MOUTH CASE
A teacher involved in a disturbing online incident has avoided prison but received a community payback order.Christopher Daniels, aged 29, was sentenced to two years of supervision and must attend a sex offenders programme, after admitting to acts of indecency and possession of inappropriate images of children.
While employed as an IT tutor at Lossiemouth High School in Moray, Daniels exposed himself to a 15-year-old boy over a webcam.
He confessed last month to deliberately causing the boy to view a sexual image during a video call from his Lossiemouth residence on July 2 of the previous year.
Additionally, he admitted to possessing indecent images of children created between December 31, 2011, and January 10 of this year.
The court had deferred sentencing to allow for assessments, including a psychiatric report, and Daniels was placed on the sex offenders register.
It was revealed that the victim’s mother discovered inappropriate messages between her son and Daniels on their home computer, prompting police to investigate.
Grampian Police executed a search on Daniels' home in January.
Solicitor Stephen Carty told the court that Daniels had already faced consequences through the end of his teaching career, stating, "This has had quite an impact on him." Sheriff Susan Raeburn ordered Daniels to be supervised for two years and to participate in a sex offenders programme, and confirmed he would remain on the sex offenders register for the same duration.
A Moray Council spokesperson reported that Daniels had left his teaching position prior to the conclusion of the case, saying, "He is no longer employed by the council." The spokesperson also noted that Daniels is now prohibited from working in any educational environment, pending further actions from the General Teaching Council.
