Indecent Images Found On Deceased Teacher's Computer

Essex Police has confirmed indecent images of pupils have been found on the computer of a deputy head teacher from Essex who was found dead earlier this month.

Martin Goldberg, 46, was a maths teacher at Thorpe Hall School in Southend. Following concerns regarding his welfare, police discovered his body at his home two weeks ago.

Essex Police has said it has since recovered images from the former teacher's computer which appear to have come from a camera that was concealed inside a bag.

It was used to film boys undressing at changing rooms in the school, as well as a leisure centre in Southend. Footage is also thought to have been taken from two other locations, but these have not been confirmed.

It is understood the images, both video and stills, "would appear to be of boys aged from nine to 12," from the year 2000 onwards, police said.

Detectives have confirmed four children have been identified from the footage and have spoken to their parents. 75 images, classed as "indecent", are said to be from the changing rooms at the school, while an additional 465 are from the leisure centre's swimming pool. 38 are from the "two other locations".

In most of the pictures, police have said the children's faces are not visible, or the image quality is too poor that they cannot be identified.

Police started an investigation into Mr Goldberg's computer after he was alleged to have purchased material online which may have included images of naked teenage boys. He was spoken to by officers, but not arrested due to "insufficient evidence" at the time. He was found dead the following day.

Essex Police have said they have not found evidence of any other offences by Mr Goldberg involving these children. There is also nothing at this time to suggest he made inappropriate physical contact with any child, that he shared any of these images or that anyone else was aware of his offending.

(JP/CD)