A computer teacher from the North-East was ordered to register as a sex offender yesterday after downloading more than 100 images of child pornography.

Paul Whitfield, 35, is currently suspended from his post as head of IT at Churchdown Comprehensive School in Gloucestershire. Whitfield, of The Fleet, Stockton-on-Tees, pleaded guilty to 16 offences of making indecent images and one of possessing indecent images of children in August 2004.

At Cheltenham Magistrates' Court he was sentenced to a three-year community rehabilitation order with a condition to attend a sex offenders' programme. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for five years. Prosecutor Peter Ashby said the offences came to light when a family with whom Whitfield was staying became suspicious of his computer use.

The police were called in and investigated the contents of various computers used by Whitfield including a school-issued laptop. Mr Ashby said they found a total of 103 images of under-age girls aged between 10 and 12 posing in various states of undress. After Whitfield had been confronted about his computer use, he left the home where he was lodging but wrote a note apologising for his actions.

Mr Ashby said: ''The homeowners discovered the handwritten note saying 'I'm sorry please believe me when I say I hate myself for what I have done. If there's anything on the family computer that shouldn't be there I was responsible.

"I will never forgive myself for bringing us to this point. I have never hurt any children and never would but my weakness is unforgivable'.'' Tony Miles mitigating said Whitfield would never be able to work again as a teacher. He said there had been ''a total disruption of his career and character''.

Whitfield remains suspended from his post at the school and may now face disciplinary proceedings.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire County Council said: ''We can confirm that the teacher who was sentenced today was suspended immediately after the school was made aware of the allegations against him.

''The County Council carries out rigorous checks on school staff including police checks and full reference checks.''