Allegations against sacked teacher unfounded

INNOCENT . . . Mr Hooley

A TEACHER who was sacked after he was arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography has told of his relief at being released without charge by police.

Nigel Hooley, the former head of maths at South Chadderton School, was suspended — then fired — when indecent images were found on a computer in June, last year.

He was arrested and bailed by police but strenuously denied the claims, alleging a number of incidents when computers at the Butterworth Lane secondary were not secure.

The 33-year-old Trafford councillor has now been released without charge.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted with the result. What I am disappointed with is the fact that it took so long to clear my name.

“That’s procedure, I’m told, but it just took far too long — we are three or four weeks short of a year.

“It has been been very stressful and very difficult having also lost a job.”

Mr Hooley refused to comment about South Chadderton School, its decision to dismiss him, or previous allegations over school security.

Mr Hooley, who remained as a councillor for Sale Moor, has been reinstated in the Conservative group at Trafford Council, from which he was suspended along with his roles on the planning and licensing committees.

Describing how he coped with the ordeal, he added: “Quite simply it is through the support of family and friends. Without them it would have been much more difficult.

“The first thing I need to do now is take a few weeks out and reflect on what has been a very stressful year.”

A statement from Greater Manchester Police confirmed: “A 33-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children, has been released without charge.

Mr Hooley was dismissed by South Chadderton in September, 2009.

Chairman of governors Vernon Cressey said yesterday: “We went through a thorough investigation.

“We are quite happy our computers are secure and we had them all checked.”