Social worker cleared of misconduct for emailing colleagues pictures

A SOCIAL worker who emailed images of Gary Glitter to colleagues has been cleared of misconduct. Kieron Vosper, of Underwood Road, Plympton, appeared before the General Social Care Council (GSCC) yesterday.

The panel heard he had forwarded images implying child sexual abuse to colleagues while a senior manager in children’s services at Devon County Council.

One was titled ‘Anything to declare, sir?’ showing pop paedophile Glitter arriving at customs with a child in a carrier bag.

Another was called ‘He’s back’, showing a man trying to catch a baby boy with a fishing rod.

There was a ‘culture’ in certain Devon County Council offices of staff circulating offensive emails, the GSCC heard.

Panel chairman Ian Daines said while he had sent two images of Glitter to colleagues, Mr Vosper “didn’t consciously absorb the content”.

Although Mr Vosper had admitted misconduct prior to his hearing, Mr Daines said that “in the broader context” the charge was found not proved.

The chairman said: “We’ve heard no evidence about the size or lighting conditions [in which he viewed the pictures].

“In view of these limitations the panel is unable to make any informed assessment about what Mr Vosper may or may not have seen.

“‘The committee find that on the balance of probabilities, Mr Vosper had a quick perusal of the ‘Anything to declare, sir?’ image but failed to notice the image of the child.”

In the second ‘He’s back’ photo, Mr Daines accepted Vosper failed to notice Gary Glitter fishing.

He also accepted he forwarded the image as he “wished to have it explained to him”.

Mr Daines said: “The committee is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Mr Vosper didn’t see the offensive element in the images at the time he forwarded them.”

Mr Vosper was sacked by Devon County Council following an internal investigation into the emails in 2009.

He admitted sending the images in August and September 2008.