Former Headteacher Convicted of Child Pornography Offences

Mark Smith, also known as Mark Bocker, a former headteacher with a career spanning almost 40 years in education, has been convicted of possessing indecent images of children. Smith, who led several schools in Merseyside and the North West, was sentenced to a six-month suspended sentence at Liverpool Crown Court.

The court heard that 82 indecent images were found on Smith's phone, ranging in severity from Category A (the most serious) to Category C. Smith had changed his name shortly before appearing in court, but the judge confirmed his birth surname, revealing his former profession as a headteacher.

Smith previously held positions as headteacher at Oswaldtwistle School in Lancashire, an alternative provision school, and as head of a pupil referral unit (PRU) in Knowsley. His expertise in behavior management made him a respected figure in education, and he was featured on an education podcast focused on improving pupil behaviour and safeguarding.

In a now-deleted episode of the podcast, Smith spoke about his career journey, starting as a PE teacher and transitioning to working with students with challenging behavior. He expressed a belief that schools should provide positive experiences for children and that educators should empower them to reach their full potential.

Smith also held other roles in education, including chair of governors for a school trust in Formby and membership in various education councils.

Police arrested Smith after receiving a tip about indecent images on a device linked to him. Analysis of his Samsung phone uncovered the images. Judge David Swinnerton, in sentencing, expressed disappointment that someone who had dedicated their life to helping children would be convicted of such an offense.

He stated, "It is a great pity that a man who has done a great deal for children in difficult circumstances finds himself before the court after looking at pictures of children being abused. It may seem remote to you because it is a picture - but each picture is a case of child abuse that is taking place somewhere in the world. Those photos have been taken to feed a market and you are one of the customers for the worst type of content that the internet can provide."