Magistrate and school governor admits to ‘extreme’ porn stash

School governor Michael Hall, 46, downloaded the images to his laptop. His collection of 230 photographs and 150 videos was discovered when police raided his semi-detached home last September, following a tip-off.

Hall, of Foxland Avenue, Swinton, Rotherham, who serving as a magistrate in the town when his crimes were detected, pleaded guilty at court in Leeds to 21 specimen counts of possession of extreme pornography.

He was sentenced to a three-year community order which requires him to spend 144 days completing a programme for sex offenders.

Hall was a governor at three Rotherham schools and a member of Rotherham Council’s Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel.

A spokesman for Rotherham Council said: “We have been made aware a Swinton man has been convicted of possessing extreme pornography.

“The council has supported the police with their investigation and we are pleased it has reached this outcome in court.

“We can confirm this individual was a governor at Swinton Community, Swinton Fitzwilliam and Kilnhurst St Thomas’ schools, and was a member of the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel.

“He has already resigned from all these posts.”

Hall was also ordered to pay £85 towards court costs and will be supervised by the probation service for three years.