Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Primary school head charged over child porn photos
‘As soon as the chair of governors was informed of Mr Williams’ arrest, immediate action was taken to safeguard the school’s pupils’
A primary school head teacher has been charged with making indecent images of children.
Richard Williams – head of St Mary’s in Chilham – is alleged to have accessed the illegal photos between 2008 and 2016.
The 48-year-old, of Alexander Drive, Faversham, faces three charges of making the pictures – some of them in the most graphic Category A class.
Parents of pupils at the school were given the news on Thursday after being called there for an urgent meeting.
They were told how Williams was arrested in November and immediately suspended and banned from entering the school premises.
He then resigned with immediate effect following a meeting with the school’s chair of governors and Kent County Council’s area education officer.
A council 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 indecent images of children, and that he had been charged with this offence.
“As soon as the chair of gov- ernors was informed of Mr Williams’ arrest, immediate action was taken to safeguard the school’s pupils.
“Mr Williams was suspended, prevented from entering the school site and, following a meeting with the chair of governors and KCC’S area education officer, he resigned with immediate effect.
“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.”
Police have confirmed Williams has been charged with three counts of making indecent images in categories A, B and C.
He is due to appear before Canterbury magistrates on Friday, April 28.