Merthyr Tydfil Social Worker Struck Off For Child Porn

A social worker has been struck off the social care register after he was convicted of downloading child pornography.

Paul Neil, who was employed by Merthyr Tydfil Council, was convicted in June of 17 offences involving video clips and still images.

He was given a community punishment order and his employers sacked him.

A Care Council for Wales panel ruled that his details should be removed to maintain public confidence.

Mr Neil, who is now working for a cleaning company, was sentenced at Newport Crown Court over the offences.

It followed his arrest after his wife discovered child pornography on his laptop and handed it to police.

He said he stumbled across the images at a time of turmoil in his marriage when his wife was having an affair.

He was ordered to serve a community punishment order, which included a sex offender treatment programme and an enhanced thinking skills course.

At the Care Council for Wales conduct committee panel, he admitted the conviction amounted to misconduct as a social worker, but asked the panel to suspend his registration rather than remove it.

However, the panel said his name had to be removed to maintain public confidence in the social care workforce.