A DISGRACED headteacher is facing a prison sentence after admitting two charges of inciting a child to be involved in pornography.

John Stubbins pleaded guilty to the two offences which happened on February 22 and 25 last year in the Durham area when he appeared in court yesterday.

The 44-year-old also admitted a further charge of possession of 16 category C indecent images but did not enter a plea on a further charge of possession of a more serious category B image.

He accepts possessing the the image, taken on March 13 last year, but the court heard he disputes the categorisation.

County Durham and Darlington Magistrates' Court was told the defendant was a headteacher in a County Durham school and that the victim was 16 at the time.

The father-of-two, who appeared in court wearing a blue coat, was supported by members of his family throughout the short hearing while the victim's family were sitting at the opposite side of the small courtroom.

John Garside, prosecuting, said: "This is an abuse of position and trust. At the time of the offences the victim was 16-years-old and the defendant was 43-years-old and working as a headteacher at a primary school.

"As this was a clear abuse of position and trust, the crown would say that sentencing falls outside this court's sentencing power."

Stubbins, of St Cuthberts Road, Gateshead, was in possession of the 16 category C images between February 16 and March 24 last year.

Stubbins was released on conditional bail that bars him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16 and from contacting the victim or her family.

He will next appear at Durham Crown Court on Monday, May 5 for sentence.

Speaking after the hearing, Margaret Whellans, Durham County Council’s corporate director for children’s services, said: “I would like to reassure parents and pupils that prompt action was taken and we have worked in partnership with police to assist with their criminal enquiries.

“Our schools operate robust safeguarding measures and following the allegations and his arrest in March 2017 Mr Stubbins was suspended with immediate effect.”