5 days ago
Ex-teacher faces permanent classroom ban after what police found at his house
A former teacher at a prestigious school admitted to police that he found indecent images of children while downloading music, according to a teacher misconduct panel. Juan Torrecillas Molina confessed to the offences last year.
After a hearing on June 16, the misconduct panel will recommend to Secretary of State Bridget Phillipson whether Mr Molina should be barred from teaching. He was formerly a teacher at St Anselm's College, a top Merseyside school located in Prenton, Wirral.
The panel was told that Mr Molina pleaded guilty to several charges at a hearing at Wirral Magistrates Court on February 27, 2024. The case was subsequently referred to Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing, with another hearing scheduled for March 26, 2024.
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The misconduct panel were told Mr Molina pleaded guilty and was convicted of possession of three Category B, three Category C, and 36 Category A indecent photos or computer-generated images of children, as well as possessing 42 indecent images of children. The panel heard he received a suspended prison sentence of a total of 20 months as well as unpaid work, rehabilitation, and was made to sign a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
Mr Molina was not in attendance at the hearing, but it was confirmed that correspondence had been sent to his address and an email response was received. James Lloyd, representing the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA), told the panel that Mr Molina had communicated that he no longer teaches, is barred from working with children, and has no plans to return to the profession, reports the Liverpool Echo.
After Merseyside Police executed a search warrant of Mr Molina's address, police found he was not at home as he was teaching at school at the time. Police then attended St Anselm's and told Mr Molina someone had been accessing indecent images of children over the internet at his house.
According to Mr Lloyd, Mr Molina told police he "was downloading music" and that he was "shocked" when he saw the images. The solicitor told the panel a hard drive on the home computer was later found by police, adding: 'This is dangerous conduct which gives rise to an ongoing and pressing safeguarding risk.'
Arguing the case for a prohibition order, he said: 'The public interest in this case is pressing. Safety of pupils and young people is paramount. That is a stark position. It is a fundamental principle of members of the public to expect of members of the profession,' adding the conviction highlighted behaviour that undermined public confidence in teaching.
In coming to its decision, Peter Whitelock said the panel felt the conviction was relevant to Mr Molina's previous career in teaching and the matter was referred to the TRA in May last year. The panel will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State.
If it is proven conduct amounts to serious misconduct, the decision along with a summary of the evidence and the reasons for the decision will be published on the government's website.
Serena Cubbin, the headteacher at St Anselm's, told the ECHO the offences were not linked to Mr Molina's time at the school or any pupils at the school, adding: 'As soon as we were informed, we took immediate action and worked with the relevant authorities.'
In March 2025, an OFSTED ungraded inspection found safeguarding was effective at the school and the college was highly praised in all areas. A report published last month said: 'Pupils are proud to be part of this welcoming and inclusive school.
'They enjoy coming to school because they appreciate being part of a close-knit, friendly community. Pupils benefit from strong relationships with their teachers.
'They feel safe when they are in school and know who to speak to if they are worried or upset. The school is ambitious for all pupils.
'Staff are determined that all pupils gain the knowledge and skills that they need to thrive in their future lives. Overall, pupils achieve well.'
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