Teacher jailed over hundreds of child sex abuse images

ASCHOOL teacher has been jailed after police found hundreds of indecent images on his laptop involving children as young as six.

Paul Bulpin, 45, was sentenced after he admitted three counts of possessing and three counts of making indecent images of children.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Daniel Williams said: “Each image is a real child and real abuse is taking place.”

He told the defendant: “You knew that, yet you went back time and time again to view more.”

The court heard police officers attended Bulpin’s home at Plas Glen Rosa, Penarth, on March 2 and seized his laptop.

Prosecutor John Warren told Newport Crown Court it was found to contain 94 of the most serious Category A images, 105 Category B images, and 172 Category C images.

Specialist officers found a total of 374 indecent images – including three videos, plus 371 still pictures – showing girls aged between six and 12.

Mr Warren said: “The defendant was employed as a school teacher.”

The court heard Bulpin was arrested on March 2 and gave a prepared statement, accepting responsibility.

He later told officers he viewed the images with a “morbid curiosity”.

The defendant stated he had read an article about the dark web and wanted to see why people would sexually abuse children.

Bulpin added he was “driven by curiosity” when he was feeling depressed.

Prosecutors argued aggravating factors included the “discernible pain and distress” of the children.

The court heard the defendant had no previous convictions or cautions.

Jeffrey Jones, defending, said: “The knock on the door and the process of the court hearing has effectively turned his life upsidedown.”

The judge read a psychiatric report and pre-sentence report, which judged Bulpin to present a low risk of re-offending.

Mr Jones said his client had a history of depression and had been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome as well as obsessive compulsive disorder.

He provided character references from the father-of-three’s family and friends, who he said were “saddened” and “baffled” by the offending.

Mr Jones added: “He is not going to be able to resume any form of teaching position. He has caused tragedy to himself and those closest to him.”

He said his client had already sought counselling from child protection charity the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, adding: “He is ashamed and truly remorseful.”

Mr Jones asked for a suspended sentence but Judge Williams said: “This offending is so serious that only a sentence of immediate imprisonment can be justified.”

The judge noted the images contained “sadistic abuse” and showed children in “great distress”.

He told the defendant: “You have an interest in the sexual abuse of young girls. You were not driven, I am satisfied, by any higher motive.”

Bulpin was jailed for eight months and made the subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.