Court rejects application to ban pervert teacher from internet

A COURT bid to ban a primary school teacher convicted for having indecent images of children from accessing the internet and contacting youngsters has been refused.

Colin Chisholm escaped jail earlier this year after he downloaded indecent images of children being abused by adults.

In September he was given a community payback order and police were given permission to check his computer whenever they wanted.

The Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements applied to Edinburgh Sheriff Court to have Chisholm banned from the internet unless he had social work permission.

It also asked that Chisholm be banned from contacting people aged under 17.

Chisholm’s defence agent, Mark Harrower, strongly opposed the move, saying: “There’s no indication as to why these requirements are necessary.”

Mr Harrower said the police were already free to inspect Chisholm’s computer equipment at any time.

Chisholm taught at four different schools during his career and was a scout leader for nine years. He was teaching P1 to P3 classes at Edinburgh’s St Cuthberts School when he was caught with images of children as young as six.

He admitted to police that he was “sexually attracted” to children.