Teacher, 43, posted pictures of ‘cute’ young pupils on Russian website frequented by paedophiles

A former Labour councillor who worked as the head of history at an Oxfordshire secondary school has been banned for life, after he was caught uploading photos of pupils onto a Russian website used by paedophiles.

Steven Birkett, 43, admitted to sharing pictures of students in their uniform on the website without permission of the school or parents.

Birkett, worked at Chenderit School, Middleton Cheyney, in Oxfordshire as the head of history when he uploaded the images online between 2007 and 2017.

Steven Birkett, 43, admitted to sharing pictures of students in their uniform on the website without permission of the school or parents. Birkett, worked at Chenderit School (pictured), Middleton Cheyney, in Oxfordshire when he uploaded the images between 2007 and 2017

He was a Labour councillor for the New Bilton ward from 2012 until his resignation in 2017, where he said in a statement he had returned to Lancashire to be with family.

Birkett admitted to posting photographs of at least two pupils – which he had taken from Facebook without their knowledge – for at least ten days, having set up an account using an email address containing the name of another pupil.    

A Teacher Disciplinary Panel heard none of the pictures were sexual or indecent but that Birkett would have been aware the site was used by paedophiles.

The report suggested that some of the pages on folders on the site were labelled ‘cute’, ‘3/4 yo’, ‘Little Cuties’ and Cute 8yo’ seemingly in reference to young girls based on their age.  

A TRA panel recommended a ban, after finding his actions ‘may bring the profession into disrepute’, despite the fact that police were unable to press charges as no criminal laws had been broken.

The said he had not provided ‘adequate explanation for his behaviour’ or acknowledged its possible effect on the children.

On November 2, 2016, the head teacher at Chenderit School was contacted by Northamtonshire Police in relation to Birkett’s activities online.  

 Birkett, worked at Chenderit School, Middleton Cheyney, in Oxfordshire as the head of history when he uploaded the images online between 2007 and 2017. He was a Labour councillor for the New Bilton ward from 2012 until his resignation in 2017, where he said in a statement he had returned to Lancashire to be with family

 Birkett, worked at Chenderit School, Middleton Cheyney, in Oxfordshire as the head of history when he uploaded the images online between 2007 and 2017. He was a Labour councillor for the New Bilton ward from 2012 until his resignation in 2017, where he said in a statement he had returned to Lancashire to be with family

Birkett was suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation but chose to resign following the investigation where he accepted all allegations as true.

He will not be able to apply for the ban to be lifted in future, the TRA said. 

In February 2017, Birkett resigned as councillor with immediate effect, with a statement explaining he had returned to Lanacashire to be with his family. 

Following the outcome of Birkett’s hearing, the Labour Party released a statement condemning his actions.

Rugby Labour CLP Chair Alan Webb said: ‘We are shocked and appalled to hear this news. It is deeply worrying that behaviour like this is often hidden from even people’s closest friends.

‘It is quite incomprehensible why anyone would want to behave like this.

‘Whilst our immediate feelings are of revulsion, we also trust the judgement of the police authority who we assume are in possession of all the facts.

‘Meanwhile, our thoughts are with the children and families affected, both within our communities and beyond. 



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