A FORMER Dunfermline High School teacher caught with more than 1,300 photos and videos of sex abuse has been jailed for 20 months.

Norman Czemerys, 71, of Victoria Terrace, was convicted earlier this year after police raided his home and found indecent images and films of children, as well as extreme pornography.

A teacher for 34 years who taught history at Dunfermline High, he was sentenced at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court last week and his name was added to the sex offenders register.

The sentence was welcomed by Police Scotland and Detective Chief Inspector Richard Banks, from the National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: "Czemerys' online behaviour was reprehensible with no regard to the young victims depicted in the images he was viewing.

"He believed the internet would provide anonymity and allow him to undertake his offending undetected.

"This was not the case and, as a result of our enquiries, he will now face the consequences of his actions.

Czemerys admitted possessing extreme images between March 9 and May 14 last year and taking or permitted to be taken or making indecent photos or pseudo photos of children between September 2011 and May 2019.

Ch Insp Banks added: "The restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic has prompted a growth in internet use, creating an increased risk of offending online and exposing children to abuse, whether in a private or virtual space.

"Any form of child sexual abuse is a serious criminal offence and is a priority for Police Scotland. We encourage anyone with concerns about a child at risk of abuse, or a potential victim, to contact police immediately.”