A FORMER teacher from Worcester tried to meet two girls for 'kisses and cuddles' while his wife was away working the night shift as a care worker.

James Ndungu of Hillside Close, Worcester was spared an immediate jail term after he communicated with two 'decoy' children set up by a vigilante group - but his wife and priest are standing by him.

The 45-year-old, who has since resigned his post, admitted two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, both decoys posing as 14-year-old girls.

He further admitted arranging the commission of a child sexual offence when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday.

He worked at Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College for 15 years before resigning in February following his arrest.

Headteacher Greg McClarey said safeguarding was taken extremely seriously at the school.

“We are deeply appalled and dismayed by the behaviour of a former member of staff,” he said.

School's full statement after teacher sentenced for child sex offences

Ndungu invited a 'girl' to abscond from the home of her aunt, giving her detailed directions about how to get to his house, including the names of Worcester's two railway stations and train times.

Judge James Burbidge QC said: "You were then a school teacher - that is one of the bizarre and worrying aspects of the case."

All the offences took place between October 5 and October 10 last year but the school Ndungu taught at was not disclosed in open court.

Giles Nelson, prosecuting, said Ndungu began talking to the decoys, set up by a team of women called JUSTICE for Kids, on an internet chat room for adults.

The defendant had a profile called 'black teacher', opening the conversation with the decoy by asking: "How are you?"

The decoy replied that she was 14-years-old and Ndungu replied: "I'm okay with your age."

Ndungu asked her for a non-sexual photo.

"He went on to ask if she liked older men and whether she was horny" said Mr Nelson.

From there the chat moved to WhatsApp where Ndungu described the 'girl' as 'sexy and gorgeous', sending her a selfie, asking her not to share that photo with anyone else.

The defendant told the decoy his real name and address, that he was a married teacher and a father-of-two.

Ndungu told the decoy he really liked her, describing her as 'nice' and 'hot' and asking 'whether she would like cuddles from him'.

The churchgoer told her that if she was at his school he would fancy her, also asking for a further picture.

He also asked if her dad checked her phone before he sent her a further selfie, asking if anyone else knew they were chatting.

"He describes the chat as 'our secret'," said Mr Nelson.

Ndungu also expressed the wish that she was a student at his school and she could 'pop into his classroom' and say 'hi'.

He told her he wanted to give her a big hug, also suggesting meeting 'face to face', later telling her he 'loves her' and that he wanted her for 'a tickle, company and a cuddle'.

The defendant also asked the size of her breasts and if she was sexually aroused.

Ndungu asked if she could come to Worcester but the only time he could meet her was night time 'because his wife worked nights'.

The former teacher provided her with details of the locations of both railway stations, telling her she could sleep on his sofa but would have to leave before his wife returned from her nightshift.

A separate decoy from the same group also posed as a 14-year-old girl.

Again Ndungu said he was 'okay' about her age and there was an exchange of selfies as he asked her 'if she liked older guys and had been with any older guys as in sex'.

Ndungu said he would like to give her 'kisses and cuddles' and described the decoy as 'cute'.

That decoy told him she had a friend who was 13 and Ndungu asked if she had 'a picture of that friend', telling her it would be nice if they could meet during half term.

When arrested the defendant answered 'no comment' to questions put to him in police interview.

Preet-Paul Tutt, defending, said his client has since provided references from his priest and his wife 'who apparently has forgiven him'.

Ndungu, a native of Kenya, had no previous convictions, completing his teaching course in 2000 before he started working as a teacher in 2005 and was based at the same school for 15 years.

Married in 2004, he has 'two dependent children' and a mortgage with his wife. He was suspended from his job upon his arrest and resigned in February this year.

"His teaching has come to an end and come to an end permanently - there's no way back to teaching," said Mr Tutt.

Ndungu, who had been 'the main breadwinner', is now working on a zero-hours contract in a warehouse. His weekly wage has dropped from £650 to £250.

"This offence has put pressure on his marriage. His wife has forgiven him. That is very positive for him, giving him the hope to rebuild his life. He's ashamed of his actions" he said.

Judge James Burbidge QC told the defendant: "You have fallen from lofty heights as a result of committing these crimes - and justifiably so."

As there was no actual child victim he said 'mercifully there was no harm'. He said he felt 'just' able to suspend the sentence, imposing a 15-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Ndungu must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 200 hours of unpaid work.

A 10-year sexual harm prevention order was also made which will restrict the defendant' use of the internet, including making contact with children under 16 and installing any encryption or wiping software.

Any devices must be made available on request. He must sign the Sex Offender Register for 10 years.

Ndungu was also referred to as James Ndungo in court.

We reported only two months ago how another Worcester teacher and scout leader was jailed after arranging to meet a 'decoy' child for sex, claiming he was 'lonely' living in his city flat after his marriage collapsed.

Robert Howe, a former teacher at Tudor Grange Academy in Worcester, was sentenced to two years in prison when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court in June.

The 34-year-old former geography teacher, who had been head of the department, believed he was chatting to a ‘cute’ 15-year-old boy following the breakdown of his marriage.

Like Ndungu he was chatting to a decoy as part of a sting operation to make the internet safer from online predators.