A former primary school worker has been accused of possessing indecent images of children, including pupils, for the past 18 months without knowledge of whether they will be charged. The delay in charging this person has been described as “completely inexcusable” by Lord Ken Macdonald. Buckinghamshire Council has suspended the suspect, but they were not sacked and continued to receive monthly pay.
Thames Valley Police said the inquiry into the case was “complex,” with category A images allegedly included, making it the most serious case. It is believed that some alleged victims linked to the case have been identified, and the parents have been contacted by the police. The vulnerability of potential victims necessitates a case like this being prioritized, with Lord Macdonald stating that he cannot conceive a good reason why it should take so long for any investigation of this sort. This delay has caused a significant impediment to victims and their families’ lives.
The school declined to comment. Buckinghamshire Council stated that it had treated the case properly and had appropriate processes in place for individuals facing significant allegations. The suspect will remain suspended from their duties until the investigation is completed, and the final employment outcome will be determined at the end of the inquiry. Thames Valley Police said that a thorough investigation was conducted to establish the extent of the allegations, and a file had been forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The CPS confirmed that it received a full file of evidence from Thames Valley Police relating to the case recently and is currently evaluating a charging decision “in line with our legal test.” With the suspect receiving thousands in salary and the case still unresolved for a lengthy period of time, it is a cause of distress for the victim’s families
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