Kentish Express Ashford & District
Head on indecent images charge
A primary school head teacher has been charged with possessing indecent images of children.
Parents of pupils at St Mary’s in Chilham were called to an urgent meeting last week to be told of the allegations Richard Williams is facing.
After his arrest in November he was immediately suspended and banned from entering the school site. He then resigned with immediate effect follow- ing a meeting with the school’s chairman of governors and Kent County Council’s area education officer.
A KCC spokesman says there is no evidence to suggest any children at the 97-pupil school have been affected by the alleged offences.
She said: “The whole school community was very distressed to hear of Mr Williams’ arrest on suspicion of possessing inde- cent images of children, and that he had been charged with this offence.”
She said as soon as the chairman of governors was told of Mr Williams’ arrest, immediate action was taken to safeguard pupils.
She said: “The police have found no evidence to suggest that any child in the school or any other school that Mr Williams has been involved in has been affected. There have been no parental complaints, pupil disclosures, or staff concerns regarding Mr Williams’ conduct with children.”
A police spokesman confirmed: “Richard Williams, 48, from Alexander Drive in Faversham has been charged with possession of indecent images.
“He is due to appear at Canterbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday, April 28, 2017.”