Thomas Nightingale spared jail time despite pleading guilty to attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity

Thomas Nightingale, 27, from Whitworth, has been spared jail time despite pleading guilty to attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of possessing incident images and three counts of possessing indecent images for show.

He was given a two year jail sentence, suspended for two years, with a supervision requirement and an internet sex offender’s treatment programme. He was also given an indefinite sexual offence prevention order, made subject to police notification requirements for 10 years, and was ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.

Nightingale, who was working at St Mary’s Primary School in Bacup as a supply teacher, logged onto an over 18s sex chat room and unknowingly started talking to a researcher, who was posing as a youngster.

The researcher was working for a child protection charity in Holland called Terre des Hommes, which was researching the extent of child grooming on the internet and ‘web cam child sex tourism’.

Burnley Crown Court was told that Nightingale logged onto the chatroom in June 2013 and began a conversation with the researcher, who was posing as a child called ‘Kyra10f’ – meaning 10-years-old and female.

The court also heard that Nightingale asked if she “had any pics” and when the researcher said she was with her younger sister and they could kiss, he replied “that would be amazing to watch”.

It is understood that the charity became so concerned by the comments that they felt compelled to call Interpol.

In September 2013, Nightingale was caught possessing indecent images on his computer after it was taken to a shop to be repaired. A technician found the images – including 38 of the most serious category A - and contacted the police.

It is understood that none of the images Nightingale possessed related to Lancashire children and that St Mary's Primary School ended its arrangement with Nightingale as soon as the allegations came to light.