Teacher arrested over child porn took own life

A schools inspector accused of holding child pornography on his computer killed himself with a massive insulin overdose a week after being arrested.

Diabetic Paul Lowery, once a high-profile headteacher, allegedly possessed some 10,000 indecent images of children – including some at the most serious end of the scale.

He was found dead at Grimworth reservoir in North Yorkshire having driven from his home in Knaresborough with a rucksack containing a bottle of whisky and a large kitchen knife.

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He had superficial knife wounds to both wrists and a note was found with his body.

Mr Lowery, 51, ran Ripon College for more than 10 years before he left in 2008. He eventually became a permanent government Ofsted inspector.

He was arrested at his home on January 8 and released on police bail until February 14.

Mr Lowery told his wife, Julia, he was worried about losing his job and was going for a walk in the countryside to clear his mind.

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She reported him missing when she returned from work on January 14 and found a note in which he asked her to rebuild her own life.

His body was found the following day by Fell Rescue volunteers.

Coroner Rob Turnbull told an inquest at Skipton Magistrates’ Court that Mr Lowery had taken his own life with a massive overdose of insulin.

North Yorkshire Police has sought to reassure parents of pupils who may have been taught or in contact with Mr Lowery.

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Detective Chief Inspector Heather Pearson, said: “I can confirm that Mr Lowery was arrested on Saturday January 8, 2011, in connection with an investigation regarding possession of indecent images of children.

“A number of items of property, including computers, were seized from his home address and he was released on police bail. At the time of his death, he was on police bail for these matters.

“A subsequent examination of the property seized has confirmed that indecent images of children have been located on computers owned and used by Mr Lowery.

“However, I can offer some reassurance to concerned parents, that the investigation to date, has not identified any evidence that would link Mr Lowery to physical contact offences with children.”

The police investigation is still ongoing.

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A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said: “Paul Lowery was employed by North Yorkshire County Council as headteacher of Ripon College from April 15, 1996, to August 31, 2008.

“During that time the local authority had no reason to be concerned regarding his conduct.”

A spokesman for Ofsted confirmed that Mr Lowery was an additional inspector (seconded from his role as headteacher) from September 2007 through August 2008 at Ofsted.

The spokesman added: “Subsequently he was employed as a permanent HMI (Her Majesty’s Inspector) from September 2009.

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“In common will all our inspector appointments, including seconded headteachers, he was subject to a rigorous checking process including: Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check at an enhanced level, interviews, assessments, references from current and previous employers.”

North Yorkshire Police has arranged for anyone with concerns to speak, in confidence, to officers from Harrogate CID.

They can call Detective Sergeant Dave Horne or Detective Constable Sarah Lynch on 0845 606 0247.