The man was also ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment as well as fined €7,500 and banned from coming into contact with minors for ten years. The former teacher possessed and looked at at least 5,250 photographs and 479 films of a child pornographic nature.
Finally, the court also banned the man from ever working in the public service again. The defendant has launched an appeal against the lifelong ban from the public service, whilst not challenging any of the other sentences.
At the court of appeals on Tuesday, the now 38-year-old claimed he launched the appeal as his working future was severely affected by the ban. He said that he would be happy to work behind the scenes even if he could no longer work as a teacher. His lawyer specified that he meant working in a ministry or in the education of adults. According to the lawyer, his client should not have all doors closed to him. Further to that, the lawyer highlighted that his client had made great progress in therapy.
The lawyer went on to argue that his client's working future should not be impacted for the rest of his life, even if he acknowledged that he could not work with children for the next ten years. The defendant's degree is specialised and the former teacher would not have many options left if all jobs which may involve contacting children were excluded.
The prosecutor did seem to concede that point to the defense lawyer, claiming that the public service ban should be limited to five years. However, she stressed that the man's crimes remained severe, as he had possess child pornography for ten years. The pornographic material in questions was of children of the same age as his pupils.
The verdict will be reached on 23 April.
Court: Teacher sentenced to three years prison for possession of child pornography
