- Jonathan Ward, 46, worked as a child protection officer for two local authorities
- Officers found bag of girls’ underwear and computer stored with abuse images
- Ward has been sacked but escaped jail this week after pleading guilty
Jonathan Ward had been working for Surrey County Council as a child protection officer when he was arrested.
A social worker has been dismissed after police raided his home to find bags of girl’s knickers and a computer filled with vile images of children being abused.
Jonathan Ward was working for Surrey County Council as a child protection officer when he was arrested.
Police discovered more than 100 indecent images of children on his hard drive as well as underwear at his home.
The 46-year-old was suspended from his job and fired but escaped a prison sentence after a court hearing last week, The Sunday People reports.
He worked for Brighton and Hove City Council and Surrey County Council when his house was searched in December last year.
Officers found sickening images on his computer and underwear after they were given a tip-off.
Ward admitted six counts of making indecent images of children at a hearing in Hove, Brighton, according to the Brighton Argus.
Judge Paul Tain sentenced him to seven months in prison, suspended for two years, and 120 hours’ community service.
Surrey County Council told The Mirror: ‘Mr Ward was suspended as soon as these allegations came to light and has since been dismissed. The offences are unrelated to his work.’
And Brighton and Hove Council also told the paper: ‘We are shocked and saddened but would like to emphasise that the offences are not connected to his employment with us.’