SIMON IRVING SHOCKS ROCHDALE AND W YORKS WITH NAKED TEENAGE PHOTOS IN CRIME SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Rochdale and West Yorkshire, Simon Irving, a former teacher with a history of working in Huddersfield and Halifax, has been found in possession of explicit images involving teenage girls. The incident, which came to light in October 2013, has led to serious legal consequences for Irving, who now faces a criminal record and restrictions that will impact his future employment prospects.

Irving, aged 31 at the time, was employed as the head of boys' physical education at King James’s School in Almondbury, Huddersfield, when police apprehended him. His previous employment also included a stint at the now-defunct Ridings School in Halifax. The case was brought before Bradford Crown Court, where prosecutors detailed the findings of a police investigation that uncovered the extent of Irving’s misconduct.

According to prosecutor Sophie Drake, the police were alerted in 2011 after the parents of a teenage girl discovered inappropriate text messages on their daughter’s phone. Following this, officers seized Irving’s mobile device for analysis. The examination revealed a small number of deleted photographs and videos, which were linked to other minors rather than the girl whose parents had initially reported him. The images included five still photographs depicting a different teenage girl in a state of undress, as well as two video clips showing a slightly younger girl performing a sexual act.

Irving, who had no prior criminal convictions, admitted to possessing these indecent images. The court heard that his actions had effectively ended his teaching career, with his employment terminated once the allegations surfaced. Despite the gravity of the case, Irving’s sentence was relatively lenient, with Judge David Hatton QC imposing a three-year community order. This order requires Irving to participate in a sex offender treatment program and to be under supervision for the next three years. Additionally, he is mandated to register as a sex offender with the police for five years.

The judge also issued an indefinite sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits Irving from seeking employment that could involve contact with children under 16. He is also required to permit police to inspect any internet-enabled devices he uses, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his online activity. Barrister Michael Upson, representing Irving, emphasized that the images had not been shared or distributed and acknowledged that Irving’s teaching career was now definitively over. Upson also noted that Irving was dismissed from his position when the allegations emerged and that he had endured a lengthy wait of over two years for his case to be resolved.

Judge Hatton expressed that Irving appeared genuinely ashamed of his actions, and while the sentence was not severe, it was deemed appropriate given the circumstances. The case underscores the ongoing concerns about safeguarding minors and the importance of strict legal measures to prevent individuals with such offenses from re-entering environments where they could pose a risk to children.