A former caretaker of Maidstone Grammar School has been found guilty of making indecent images of children.

Roger Brown, 50, of Greenfields, Maidstone, was charged with nine counts in January this year and pleaded not guilty to the offences.

It took a jury just two and a half hours to find him guilty after listening to compelling evidence against him in a three and a half day trial.

Following information received that identified a credit card belonging to Brown had been used to pay for access to websites containing child abuse images, officers executed a warrant at his home address, the Gate House of Maidstone Grammar School, on 28 August 2008.

At the address a computer was seized and Kent Police's digital forensics unit identified 143 indecent images of children along with internet history of internet sites which Brown had searched which indicated a sexual interest in children.

Detective Sergeant David Shipley from Kent Police's Public Protection Unit said: "Brown denied the offences all along despite strong evidence of his guilt. I am pleased that the jury have seen through his lies, and convicted him.

"Brown received glowing character references from a range of people including the ex headmaster of Maidstone Grammar School. This goes to show that even the most trusted individuals can hide their true nature to those who know them.

"Whilst there is no evidence to suggest a link to his position within the school to these offences, he has clearly abused the trust others have placed in him."

Head of Kent Police's Public Protection Unit Paul Fotheringham said: "Kent Police works with many partner agencies, including CEOP, to tackle this type of horrific offence.

"There is no excuse for viewing, downloading or searching for images of children suffering abuse. These are images of real children where a child is suffering real abuse and we will continue to work to stop this horrific crime and bring offenders before the courts."

Sentencing is scheduled for October 14 at Maidstone Crown Court.