Former teacher Mark Torley sentenced to 22 months for secretly filming schoolgirls getting changed

Mark Torley, a 48-year-old drama teacher from South Molton Community College, was found guilty of five counts of voyeurism and possessing indecent photos of children. He used his mobile phone to record girls under the age of 18 without their consent.

Torley would set up his phone in the props room to capture images and videos of students changing, often using an app that made it appear as if the device was switched off. He recorded one student topless and others wearing only their bras.

The victims described feeling horrified and violated by their teacher's breach of trust. One girl said: "I felt violated at thinking this could have happened at school when I was just going through my education. I feel totally out of control and it's a horrible feeling."

Prosecutor Ms Mary McCarthy stated that the offences took place over a period of about a year, during which time Torley used his position as a drama teacher to take covert recordings of teenage girls changing in the props cupboard.

Torley's trial was told that he admitted the voyeurism offences and expressed remorse for his actions. However, Judge Timothy Rose imposed a 22-month sentence, stating: "What you did was to take your conduct beyond any conceivable appropriate level and you ended up repeatedly filming the private activities of those that were changing in the drama department."

The judge also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting Torley's use of the internet and contact with teenage girls. It is believed that at least six children were filmed by Torley.