Social work lecturer on child porn charges

A social work lecturer has resigned after being accused of child pornography offences.

Registered social worker Kevin Pettican, 63, appeared in court on 21 June charged on nine counts of making indecent photographs of a child and one of possessing an indecent photograph.

He was suspended as programme leader for social work at University Campus Suffolk, Ipswich, immediately after the hearing and then resigned.

Pettican, of Saxmundham, Suffolk, did not enter a plea and has been remanded on bail by South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court until a second hearing on 2 August.

The university has instructed him not to contact staff or students while the matter is being investigated.

A university spokesperson said: “UCS takes a robust approach to the selection of staff, including formal interviews, taking up written references, checking qualifications and Criminal Records Bureau checks. All these processes were applied in Mr Pettican’s case.

“Having learned of the charges against Mr Pettican, we will assist Suffolk Council and the police wherever possible with any further enquiries.

“We would emphasise that, in the course of his employment at UCS, Mr Pettican engaged with a wholly adult community of students.”

Related articles

Bulger killer charged with possessing child abuse images