Two brothers, both chemistry teachers at secondary schools in Gwynedd, have walked free from court after admitting possessing a total of 1,402 indecent images of children.
Dyfan Wheldon-Williams, 42, of Tywyn, Bontnewydd near Caernarfon and his brother Robyn, 39, of the same address led a “Jekyll and Hyde existence” a judge said.
Both men told police they had indulged their addiction to online pornography for 10 years.
Today at Caernarfon Crown Court Judge Peter Heywood said he had been shocked to read of their double life.
He said: “You are both academic high achievers.
“You both obtained doctorates and devoted your professional lives to working in local secondary schools and are, no doubt, impeccable teachers and well regarded by professional colleagues and no doubt having set many youngsters onto science careers.
“But you have another, sadder side to your lives.
“You are isolated socially and it seems you spent your weekends getting tanked up on cans of lager and getting sexually aroused by downloading and watching images and videos of child pornography.”
Judge Heywood said although the offences were serious he did not believe a prison term would sort out their behaviour.
He said: “If I send you to prison it would be for a matter of months and while it would deprive you of your liberty and punish you in the short term it would not address the issues.”
The judge said there was no evidence either brother had acted improperly towards any child in their care and they were offences committed “behind closed doors”.
He handed both men a three-year community order during which they must attend a 35-day internet sexual offender programme.
The judge warned them the order was not a “soft option” and added he would have no hesitation in jailing either man if they breached the order.
Both must register as sex offenders for five years and pay costs of £535.
Robyn Wheldon-Williams is a teacher at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen in Caernarfon and was suspended from his post when he was arrested last year.
He has also been a co-presenter on S4C children’s science programme, ATOM, as well as working for both the National Eisteddfod and Bangor University in the past.
Dyfan Wheldon-Williams teaches chemistry at Ysgol y Moelwyn in Blaenau Ffestiniog and has also been suspended from his post at the school.
Before sentence was passed Matthew Dunford, prosecuting, said the pair were arrested in May last year as part of a joint probe by Gwynedd Council and North Wales Police.
He said a search warrant was executed at their home and computer items were seized and both men interviewed.
Mr Dunford said: “Robyn Wheldon Williams admitted he had seen images of children and said he was apalled at his actions.
“His brother initially denied he had searched for child pronography but later admitted it.
“He said he was disgused by his behaviour having ad an addiction to online pornogrpahy for 10 years and had sought help.”
The court heard Dyfan Wheldon-Williams had admitted three charges of making and possessing indecent photographs and possessing extreme pornographic images.
The younger man admitted eight charges of making and possessing indecent images of children.
The number of images total 1,402 and 80 video clips the court heard.
Mr Dunford pointed out that while both brothers had been arrested together they faced individual charges.
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