Richard Leighfield

Richard Leighfield, a 54-year-old former primary school teacher from Worcester, was jailed in January 2025 for 30 months after pleading guilty to six child sex offences. The offences included three counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child, one count of possessing a prohibited image of a child, and one count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Among the indecent images found, one was classified as category A, the most severe classification, with eight category B images and ten category B images also discovered. Leighfield was also placed on the sex offenders register for life following his conviction.

A professional conduct panel convened by the Teaching Regulation Agency in early May 2025 concluded that Leighfield had shown a "serious departure" from the standards expected of the teaching profession. Decision maker Marc Cavey noted there had been "no evidence of rehabilitation," meaning there was no assurance that Leighfield would not repeat the conduct.

The panel banned Leighfield from teaching indefinitely, prohibiting him from teaching in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation, or children's home in England. He was also barred from applying for restoration of his eligibility to teach due to the seriousness of the allegations.

Detective Constable Giuseppe Saladino of West Mercia Police stated: "Leighfield demonstrated predatory behaviour towards children and was responsible for making horrific images. Fortunately his behaviour was intercepted by an online child profile, but this in no way lessens the seriousness of his offences."