A paedophile former teacher, James John Matthews, previously incarcerated twice in Jersey for disseminating indecent photos of minors and transmitting messages regarding the removal of undergarments from students’ lockers, relocated to Scotland, to take advantage of their favourable sentences for paedophiles, and perpetrated analogous acts, it has been revealed.
James John Matthews, the former Deputy Head of St John’s Primary School, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison in 2020 after admitting to collecting indecent photos of minors and transmitting ‘obscene’ texts.
However, his sentence was prolonged by 11 months the subsequent year after his ex-wife uncovered further indecent photographs on a laptop concealed under a toy box and a time-capsule hard drive.
Following his release, James John Matthews relocated to Scotland, where it has recently come to light that he has been convicted of analogous acts.
James John Matthews entered a guilty plea in March for the offences of taking or allowing the taking of indecent photos, possession of indecent images, and possessing an image portraying bestiality.
Sheriff Maxwell Hendry, in his prosecutorial capacity, proposed that James John Matthews may undergo rigorous supervision and participate in the ‘Stop It Now’ program as an alternative to incarceration. This initiative is designed to prevent child sexual abuse and assists individuals who have been arrested, warned, or convicted of related offences.
Mr. Lafferty stated that a community payback order, a court-mandated sentencing in Scotland requiring individuals to atone for their misdeeds through unpaid labour and other activities, would facilitate rehabilitation and deter recidivism.
Sheriff Hendry granted James John Matthews bail on 30 April to visit the Helensburgh housing department as a homeless individual, instructing him to return to court on 2 May.
A community payback order was imposed for three years, requiring the completion of 200 hours of community service within 12 months.
James John Matthews is required to undergo psychological counselling or treatment and will be registered as a sex offender for a duration of three years.
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