An Angus teacher who set up a hidden camera to secretly film a teenage pupil as she undressed and showered has been jailed for 18 months.
Gordon Milne, a respected and popular computing and IT teacher at Forfar Academy,hid a mobile phone in a bathroom to record footage of the girl, which he later downloaded to his laptop.
The video was discovered by police along with a stash of more than 1,500 indecent images of children after the married 33-year-old was arrested at a teaching conference in a Carnoustie hotel.
Milne nicknamed “Flash Gordon” by pupils has been suspended from the school since the allegations came to light and now faces the sack.
Milne, now of Rait, Blairgowrie, admitted possessing indecent photographs of children and taking or making indecent photographs of children between November 2011 and January 2013.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard police received information in January last year that a computer used by Milne, pictured, at his home address in Forfar was being used to view indecent images of children.
Police obtained a search warrant while Milne was at a work-related conference and recovered a Sony laptop computer behind a settee in the living-room.
Milne’s wife told police he was also in possession of a Macbook laptop at the conference.
Depute fiscal Keith Robertson told the court: “Detectives went to the hotel and the accused was detained.
“The accused was taken to Arbroath police office and gave a ‘no comment’ interview.”
Police computer experts then scoured the two computers over the next few weeks and discovered a video clip of a teenage girl being recorded in a bathroom and shower.
A further warrant was obtained and police recovered a mobile phone and other electronic equipment.
Mr Robertson said: “The victim was unaware she had been filmed naked while using the bathroom and shower.”
The court heard there was no evidence Milne had distributed the images or videos. The total received from all the devices was 1,535 images and 13 videos.
Solicitor George Donnelly said: “He was an IT teacher and was later seconded as a staff tutor providing training in all education sectors in Angus.
“He had replaced a teacher who had appeared on similar charges at Forfar Sheriff Court.
“The chat about his predecessor grew and his first involvement with such sites was as a result of a curiousity brought by said conversations.
“He accessed the sites using search terms his predecessor had used.
“In terms of the other charges the filming of a former pupil with subterfuge involved are different altogether.
“He can offer no explanation for his actions other than attraction to her.
“He offers his complete and utter grovelling apology to the young lady and all of those affected by his behaviour.
“He has lost his career he will be struck off and he has no employment prospects.”
Sheriff Tom Hughes said “You have also been involved in a gross breach of trust to your employers and your pupils.”
Milne was jailed for 18 months, with a year on licence when he is released from prison. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
An Angus Council spokesperson confirmed that Mr Milne is no longer employed by the local authority.