Child porn arrest for music tutor and ex-Heswall Primary School governor David Baines





A MUSIC tutor at a Merseyside school has been arrested over alleged child porn offences.

David Baines, 65, who runs a recorder club at Heswall Primary School is subject to the police probe.

Merseyside police today confirmed Mr Baines, who for more than three years was chairman of governors at the school, has been arrested on suspicion of making indecent images of children.

Detectives are to interview parents and staff at the academically successful primary as part of the investigation.


However, police could not confirm whether the alleged offences are directly linked to the school which is based in Whitfield Lane, Heswall.Mr Baines, whose half hour lunchtime recorder sessions still featured on the school website yesterday, has been granted police bail pending further inquiries.

Wirral council could not say whether Mr Baines has been relieved of his music club duties while the police probe is ongoing.



Mr Baines, who lives in Heswall, was not available for comment today.

During his tenure as chair of governors Mr Baines’s public appearances included dressing in 2009 as King Edward VII for an Edwardian Day celebration at the school.

And ranking the school the second highest rating of good following an inspection in 2006, education inspectorate Ofsted praised the role of the governing body he headed.

The inspectors concluded that: “Governors carry out their duties well, being particularly vigilant in their financial management, and ensuring good value for money.”


The report adds: “Governors support the school's work strongly, take their financial responsibilities very seriously and contribute well to the work of the school’s leadership team. In doing so they help build the very positive, and inclusive, ethos of the school.”

Ofsted also said pupils at the school “learn and achieve well in a safe and caring environment” and “all procedures for the safeguarding of children are in place”.

Confirming Mr Baines’s arrest, a Merseyside police spokesman said: “We can confirm a 65-year-old man was arrested on March 17 on suspicion of making indecent images of children. The matter is at the early stages of an investigation.”

A Wirral council spokesman said: “As there is an ongoing police investigation it would be inappropriate to comment.”



THE ECHO

Frightening !
If, and only if, the guy is guilty, how long has this shit been going on ?
He is 65 years old !
These urges don't happen overnight.

I went to this primary school and remember this man well. It makes my skin crawl !