Former Ofsted inspector from Saffron Walden jailed for child sex offences

An ex-Ofsted inspector was jailed today for two years for sex offences against children.

Adam Higgins, 48, of Maypole Close, Saffron Walden, previously admitted possessing indecent images and attempting to incite children to engage in sexual activity over a total of two years.

At the time of his arrest, Higgins was a schools inspector. Ofsted launched an investigation and he resigned his position in November.

He was arrested in September last year after Essex police were passed information from the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Eighty nine indecent films and one still image of boys aged six to sixteen were found on the laptop of the ex-headteacher, and internet chats with young boys were discovered on the family iPad.

Richard Potts, defending, said: “The defendant comes to this court as a man fallen from grace. He comes from a respected occupation.

“He lost his job, not surprisingly, in these matters. His current income is nil. His wife, having been a teacher and classroom assistant, felt she had no option but to give up her job.”

Judge Patricia Lynch said: “The fact of the matter is that adults who involve themselves in this do so at their peril, because you knew these were children and you went on indulging.

“You have destroyed your own life, no one else. And you have destroyed your family’s life, no one else.

“This court is in the business of protecting children and custody is the only sentence I can give.”

Higgins was given a two-year sentence for attempting to incite children to engage in sexual activity and nine and three months for each of the indecent image charges.