A NATIONAL charity has branded the case of disgraced former headteacher Ross Workman “deeply shocking” after he was allowed to walk free from court after admitting downloading hundreds of sick images of children.

The former Oldswinford CofE Primary School headteacher was slapped with a three-year community order and told to attend the sex offenders’ programme after pleading guilty to six charges of making indecent photographs of children.

The 51-year-old formerly of Orwell Close, Norton, Stourbridge, was also ordered to register as a sex offender for the next five years and to pay £420 costs when he was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday).

The court was told Workman downloaded more than 500 sickening indecent images and films of children as young as eight, including 88 in the worst category.

A spokesman for national child abuse charity, the NSPCC, said after the case was finalised: “It is deeply shocking that someone so trusted and respected by pupils and parents would commit these vile crimes.

“The children in these images are victims of sexual abuse which can destroy their lives.

“Workman has only helped fuel this industry and the demand for those images.”

Judge James Burbidge QC told Workman he would never work again in the teaching profession – and one could only wonder what the parents of children at his school felt when they learned his secret.

He said it was “bewildering” why Workman would watch child pornography but he accepted it happened at a “low ebb” in his life.

And he said the former primary school boss, now living in Lowfold Close, Worcester, was a man of “good character who many friends described as honest, open, kind and considerate”.

However - he told him: “You’ve lost your job; you’ve paid a very high price but a just price. It would be inappropriate for you to work with children again in the future.”

Judith Kenney, defending, said the offences were committed over a two-month period in 2011 when Workman was under a great deal of stress and after the end of a six-year relationship.

Workman, the court was told, had used pornography as a “stress reliever” but admitted his sexual interest in boys had seen him cross boundaries and he said he recognised his behaviour had become addictive.

Suspended immediately after his arrest by detectives from the West Midlands Police Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team, he later resigned from his post in January 2015.

After yesterday’s sentencing - Jenny Birchall, current headteacher at Oldswinford CofE Primary, confirmed: “Mr Workman has not worked for the authority or this school for some time.”

And she added: “There is no suggestion or evidence that the school, its staff, or the pupils of our school are involved in any way.

“Our school continues as normal, and I hope this will be a fresh chapter for Oldswinford CofE Primary.”

Ann Mundy, director of education for the Diocese of Worcester, added: “The school has now moved forward under the leadership of Mrs Birchall. We would like to hold all those affected by Mr Workman’s actions in our prayers.”

Anyone concerned about a child being abused is urged to call the NSPCC’s helpline on 0808 800 5000.