JAMIE DRUMMOND BANNED FROM TEACHING IN CUMBRIA AFTER BARROW CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE

In a significant development stemming from a disturbing case in Barrow, Jamie Drummond, a 30-year-old former teacher at Holy Family Primary School, has been officially barred from working within any of the Roman Catholic Church's educational institutions across England and Wales. This decision follows his appearance before Preston Crown Court, where he faced charges related to accessing child pornography websites. Although he was not sentenced to prison, Drummond was handed a community rehabilitation order, a legal measure that does not prohibit him from employment involving children but requires ongoing supervision and compliance with certain conditions.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cumbria responded swiftly and decisively to the revelations about Drummond's actions. Father Denis Blackledge, the diocese's communications officer, confirmed that Drummond would be placed on the church’s national child protection database, known as the Catholic Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults. He emphasized the church’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding children, stating, “The Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales views child protection issues with the utmost seriousness, whether in the real or virtual world. At least one child a week dies as a result of abuse. Children on the internet are not virtual children, they are real children.”

Father Blackledge further assured the public that Drummond would never be allowed to teach in any Catholic school again, underscoring the church’s zero-tolerance policy towards abuse and its proactive stance on child safety.

Meanwhile, concerns about the proliferation of internet pornography and its impact on child safety were voiced by Pat Palmer, the NSPCC’s South Cumbria manager. Palmer highlighted the gravity of the issue, noting that the rise of online child abuse images involves real children being exploited to produce such material. She warned that individuals who access these sites are actively participating in the abuse of children, making the problem not just a matter of consumption but one of ongoing harm.

In response to the case, the governors of Holy Family School in Barrow announced plans to inform the Secretary of State for Education about Drummond’s criminal record. This step aims to ensure that any future employment applications he makes within the education sector will be scrutinized with full knowledge of his background. Additionally, Cumbria County Council spokesperson Brian Hough confirmed that the council would also notify the Secretary of State about Drummond’s status on the Sex Offenders’ Register. Hough explained that while background checks typically reveal such information during the hiring process, ultimately, the decision to employ him rests with individual schools or organizations, which must conduct their own vetting procedures.

Furthermore, police spokesperson Mike Head clarified that although Drummond is scheduled to be removed from the Sex Offenders’ Register in five years, measures are in place to prevent him from having access to children during this period. He stated, “He will be monitored for five years while on the register and if there are any concerns raised after that time we can apply to have a sex offenders order put in place. This would mean a person is monitored.” The authorities remain vigilant, ensuring that safeguards are maintained to protect children from potential harm posed by individuals like Drummond, even after the legal requirements for registration are fulfilled.