GARY ELLINS SHOCKING CHILD FILMING SCANDAL IN ROCHDALE AND TAMESIDE

In September 2016, a disturbing case emerged involving Gary Ellins, a primary school teacher whose actions have shocked the communities of Rochdale and Tameside. Ellins, aged 45, was found to have secretly filmed young pupils during their PE changing routines, an act that constitutes a gross breach of trust and a serious criminal offense.

Ellins was employed at Micklehurst All Saints Primary School located in Mossley, Tameside. His misconduct came to light during a police investigation that initially focused on his father, Jerry Ellins, who was under scrutiny for possessing indecent images of children. During a search at Jerry Ellins’s residence, authorities uncovered three hard drives and five pen drives containing videos recorded via webcam, which had been taken by Gary Ellins himself.

The Manchester Crown Court heard detailed accounts of Ellins’s background. Before becoming a teacher, he had worked in the fields of commerce and property management in London. It was only later in life that he decided to pursue a career in education. He had been working at Micklehurst All Saints Primary School for four years before his arrest.

Prosecutor Gavin Howie revealed that Ellins had developed a disturbing sexual attraction towards pre-pubescent girls, aged between eight and eleven. Despite the school’s strict safeguarding policies, Ellins covertly set up a webcam attached to his laptop to record pupils as they changed for PE lessons. The court was told that he would leave the classroom during these times, allowing him to capture footage of children, predominantly females, in a state of undress.

The recordings, which were made on two separate occasions, included a video lasting up to 28 minutes. Ellins used the footage for his own sexual gratification, according to court statements. The court also noted that Ellins had previously resided on Vernon Drive in Marple and more recently in Rochdale, where he was living at the time of his arrest.

Ellins was taken into custody after police raided his father’s home, where he was also living. During the investigation, he chose not to comment when questioned by authorities but later pleaded guilty to two counts of voyeurism and six counts of making indecent images of children. His father, Jerry Ellins, had already admitted to possessing indecent images of children in a separate hearing at Stockport Magistrates Court and was scheduled for sentencing at Minshull Street Crown Court later that month.

Defense lawyer Michelle Brown acknowledged Ellins’s remorse, stating that he has shown insight into the harm caused by his actions and recognizes the shame brought upon himself and his family. She also mentioned that Ellins had experienced consensual sexual encounters with other children earlier in his life and that he had become increasingly isolated, struggling to form meaningful relationships.

Judge Martin Rudland addressed Ellins directly during sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of his misconduct. The judge highlighted that Ellins was regarded as an effective teacher, well-liked by colleagues and pupils alike. However, the court’s review of the evidence revealed a calculated effort to set up the webcam, capturing images of children in a vulnerable state. The judge described the act as a ‘breathtaking’ betrayal of trust, not only betraying the parents’ confidence but also undermining the safeguarding protocols of the school.

Judge Rudland pointed out that the children were unaware of the recordings, which made the betrayal even more egregious. He condemned Ellins’s actions as a serious breach of professional and moral standards, emphasizing the devastating impact such behavior has on the victims and their families. Ellins was sentenced to 12 months in prison for his crimes, marking a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding in educational environments.