A PRIMARY school teacher has been placed on the Sex Offenders' register for viewing indecent images of children on the Internet.

Parents with children at Nether Kellet Primary School were still taking in the news this week after receiving a letter informing them a member of staff had been arrested as part of the police's Operation Nickel.

A police spokesman explained that it was part of the FBI-led Operation Orr, which targeted subscribers paying for access to child pornography websites.

During their investigations, detectives in America passed on details of British subscribers to local forces.

The letter from the school did not identify the teacher but Lancashire County Council has confirmed it was Martin Turp.

An education spokesman said the 34-year-old, who was arrested at home, received a police caution following an inquiry in relation to accessing indecent images of children on the Internet.

Police said he had also been placed on the sex offenders' register for at least five years.

"Following an arrest, he was immediately suspended from school and has since resigned," she said.

"We have been advised by police that no information was obtained to suggest the member of staff concerned behaved indecently towards any particular children or pupils at the school.

"The school has taken every effort to ensure the pupils' education has not been disrupted. Educational advisors will be available to discuss any further concerns parents may have in relation to the case."

No-one was available for comment at Nether Kellet Primary School when contacted by the Citizen.

Police were investigating criminal damage to Mr Turp's home as the Citizen went to press.

June 5, 2003 08:00