A former primary school head teacher has been jailed for downloading hundreds of indecent images of children.

Tim Watson, who had been described as “an inspirational leader” at Cliffe Woods Primary School, viewed over 800 images, including some in the highest category showing young children being abused by adults.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 55-year-old married father had sought help for his obsession.

But jailing him for eight months Judge Charles Macdonald QC told him: “Nevertheless, the sentence today must be custody. My duty is to punish you and, importantly, deter others.

“All indecent images of children involve live children. All these offences contribute to their degradation.

“I very rarely suspend these sentences and I shall not suspend yours.”

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said police went to Watson’s home in Second Avenue, Gillingham, on April 9 last year, but he and his wife were away.

Computer equipment was seized. The father-of-four returned on April 18 and was arrested two days later.

Police found 17 images in the highest category, 113 in the next serious category and 718 in the lowest category.

“There was a significant quantity of Google searches which were indicative of child abuse material,” said Miss Todd.

When interviewed, Watson, now of Silvern Avenue, Nottingham, admitted a sexual interest in girls. He started looking at pictures of girls aged nine to 13 in swimwear.

It led to him viewing pictures of children posing erotically. He admitted he knew what he was doing was wrong. He sought help but feared losing his teaching job.

Watson said he started looking at adult pornography at a difficult time in his life and started searching for teen sex.

He looked at pre-teen girls and saved images on a memory stick.

“He said he would never cross professional lines and had no sexual interest whatsoever in real live children" - Bridget Todd

“He said he would never cross professional lines and had no sexual interest whatsoever in real live children,” said Miss Todd.

“He said he had no interest in child pornography.

“He had feelings of guilt, shame and embarrassment about his actions, which he knew were wrong. He couldn’t give any reason for doing it other than the thrill of collecting them.”

Watson, who resigned from the school last August, admitted seven offences of making indecent photos of children between January 2000 and April last year.

His name will appear on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and a sexual harm prevention order was made for the same period. He will be barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.