A former Bramley teaching assistant has been jailed after admitting sexual offences against children.
Nathaniel Holt, aged 26, of Victoria Park Avenue, Bramley, was sentenced on Wednesday 26 November at Leeds Crown Court to five years and eight months.
He was also made to sign the sex offenders register and given a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.
He had previously appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court on 5 November where he pleaded guilty to the following charges:
- Making indecent photographs of a child relating to 2,777 still and moving category C indecent photographs of children
- Taking an indecent photograph of a child
- Possessing a prohibited image of a child relating to 50 still and moving prohibited images of children
- Recording image under clothing to observe another without consent
- Three counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching relating to two victims
- Causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity
Detective Constable Susan Abbott, who led the investigation, said: “Holt has committed multiple contact sexual offences and has also shown a wider disturbing interest in children with thousands of images found on his electronic devices.
“I would like to thank the victims for their courage and bravery in coming forward, particularly given their young age. I hope they and their families are reassured by the custodial sentence that Holt has been given. The impact of Holt’s actions is something that they will undoubtably live with for the rest of their lives, but I hope the conclusion of this court case provides them with some comfort.
“Holt’s occupation meant he had contact with children. We worked with our partners to ensure that safeguards were put in place to protect children who Holt would usually have contact with while the matters against him were investigated. Following the conclusion of this court case, he is now subject to restrictions which prevent him from working with children in the future.
“I understand that a teaching assistant being convicted of such offences may cause some concern in the wider community. I would like to reassure members of the public that we have already made contact with parents or guardians of all children linked to this investigation.
“Should anyone still have concerns about any other potential offences then you can contact police via our Live Chat system online or by calling 101.”