GREATER MANCHESTER TEACHER SENTENCED FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION AND REVENGE OF IMAGES
A man previously employed as a teacher in Greater Manchester has received a two-year custodial sentence after being convicted of serious sexual offenses.Richard Lees, aged 43 and a former educator at a school in Macclesfield, Cheshire, was found to have stored and in possession of disturbing images, including indecent photographs of children and material classified as extreme pornography, on his personal computer and encrypted hard drive.
These devices were recovered by police in July 2022 during an investigation unrelated to these crimes.
Authorities discovered explicit images and videos, some of which were of the most serious category, along with footage secretly recorded at Lees’s home.
Although he left his teaching position the year prior, Lees continued to possess a school-issued laptop that also contained indecent images.
After his arrest, Lees claimed innocence, alleging that someone else had accessed his devices.
He was formally charged in September 2023.
Further investigation uncovered more troubling content, such as images of women secretly taken on school grounds during his time as a rugby coach.
Cheshire Police confirmed that some upskirting photos appeared to involve female pupils and were taken while Lees was employed at the school.
Lees, who resides in Heald Green, Stockport, admitted to five charges, including voyeurism, possessing indecent images of children, and extreme pornography.
The court sentenced him to two years in prison.
Detective Constable Alison Shields praised the victims for their bravery and highlighted the betrayal of trust by Lees, encouraging others who may be affected to come forward.
She stated, 'Thankfully, Lees’s crimes were uncovered, and our officers diligently gathered evidence to bring him to justice.' The case underscores a severe breach of trust and a disturbing pattern of criminal behavior.
