Ex-teacher faces child porn charges

8:45am Monday 12th May 2008

A MAN from Wantage has appeared in court accused of a string of child porn offences.

Philip Carmichael, 58, of Adkin Way, was arrested and charged by police following a probe into indecent websites.

He appeared at Didcot Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with seven counts of making indecent images of children and four of possessing images after police raided his home in September last year.

During the brief hearing, Carmichael, who was accompanied by his wife, spoke only to confirm he could hear the chairman of the bench. He did not enter pleas to the charges during the hearing.

Carmichael is a former volunteer music teacher at St Nicholas C of E Primary School, in East Challow, and a teacher at the former County Primary School, in Garston Lane, Wantage.

Chairman of the magistrates Gina Coupar adjourned the case for committal to Oxford Crown Court. A date has not yet been set for the hearing.

Carmichael was granted conditional bail. It means Carmichael is free to go about his everyday life, but has been prevented from having any contact with individuals under the age of 16 at least until the completion of the case.