January 2018 Teacher and Scout leader admits having indecent images of children on computer A teacher and scout leader has admitted having more than 1,000 indecent images of children on his home computer. The headteacher of Barnard Castle School, where Phil Oakley worked as a technology tutor, last night spoke of his shock – but reassured parents that his activities were in no way connected to the school or its pupils. Oakley, who once took youngsters on a Saharan trek after beating cancer, has also been barred for life from volunteering with the Scout Movement. The 54-year-old, from Station Drive, Ripon, appeared at York Crown Court on Friday, where he pleaded guilty to three charges of distributing indecent images of children, three of making indecent images and one of possessing prohibited images of children. He will be sentenced for all of the offences, which were committed in April and May last year, on February 8. The disgraced teacher had worked at Barnard Castle School until May last year when he was suspended as soon as bosses learnt of the investigation by North Yorkshire Police. The school began disciplinary proceedings immediately.