In this report from 2021, Daniel Butterfield, aged 36, of Portland Road, Kingston upon Thames, was banned from teaching indefinitely following his conviction for 13 child sexual offences at Kingston Crown Court.
The criminal investigation commenced after Butterfield engaged in illicit communications on an online messaging platform between June and August 2018.
The court heard that Butterfield, who worked as a primary school teacher responsible for children aged 10 to 11, believed he was conversing with a 13-year-old girl.
During the exchange, Butterfield transmitted explicit self-recorded images, solicited indecent photographs in return, and arranged logistical details to meet the child in person.
The account was operated by an undercover police officer, resulting in Butterfield’s arrest.
Specialist forensic investigators examined his seized electronic hardware, identifying 113 indecent images and videos of young children, with multiple items verified as Category A abuse material.
Appearing before Kingston Crown Court, Butterfield entered formal guilty pleas to:
- 13 counts relating to child sexual offences, grooming communications, and the possession of indecent images of children
The presiding judge sentenced Butterfield to a custodial sentence of 20 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.
The court also made Butterfield subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and ordered that he comply with notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register.
Following his criminal conviction, the Teaching Regulation Agency conducted professional conduct proceedings and issued an indefinite prohibition order, barring Butterfield from teaching in any school, sixth-form college, youth accommodation, or children’s home in England.
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