CHRISTOPHER WOOD FROM SOLIHULL JAILED FOR SENDING INDECENT PHOTOS TO SCHOOLGIRL

In August 2017, Christopher Wood, a teacher based in Solihull, West Midlands, was sentenced to 15 months in prison after being found guilty of sending indecent photographs to a schoolgirl. The court heard that Wood, aged 33 and formerly residing in Dorridge, had engaged in inappropriate online exchanges with the young girl, which included images of himself involved in sexual activity with a former partner.

Wood’s misconduct came to light during a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, where it was revealed that he used 'smiley face' emojis to obscure his private parts in the images he sent. These images were part of a series of exchanges that demonstrated a disturbing breach of trust, especially considering Wood’s role as a teacher and the vulnerability of the victim.

The court was also informed that the girl, who was underage, had sent images of herself wearing only a towel to Wood. This occurred after he had gained her trust by portraying himself as a 'cool young teacher' on Snapchat, a social media platform popular among teenagers. The victim’s willingness to share such images was exploited by Wood, who used the platform to continue his inappropriate communication.

Judge Mark Wall QC delivered the sentence, emphasizing the gravity of Wood’s actions. He stated, “This exchange of images would have been completely unacceptable between any man in his 30s and an underage girl — they are so much more so when one considers the position of trust that you were in.” The judge pointed out that although Wood attempted to conceal his private parts with electronic emoji stickers, the images still left little to the imagination, highlighting the severity of his misconduct.

Furthermore, the judge noted that Wood’s personal circumstances had deteriorated, mentioning that his wife had left him. He also remarked on the loss of Wood’s good character and professional standing, which was a consequence of his actions. “Your conduct is deserving of a prison sentence and I shall pass one on you,” Judge Wall declared. He also criticized Wood for not showing remorse or accepting responsibility, stating, “You get no credit for a guilty plea or remorse, neither was forthcoming.”

As part of his sentence, Wood was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the breach of trust involved in his case. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online interactions and the importance of safeguarding young people from exploitation and inappropriate conduct by adults in positions of authority.