AN Ipswich teacher is beginning a jail term today after being one of three men convicted of child pornography.Edward Underwood, of Bridgwater Road, Ipswich, was sentenced to prison along with two others from Suffolk for the same offence.

AN Ipswich teacher is beginning a jail term today after being one of three men convicted of child pornography.

Edward Underwood, of Bridgwater Road, Ipswich, was sentenced to prison along with two others from Suffolk for the same offence.

The convictions are part of a prosecution brought by Suffolk police as a result of Operation Ore, the investigation into British perverts paying to view child porn through the internet.

One of the other men, Paul Wynn, 24, of Haverhill also kept children's dirty underwear as well as pictures of child pornography. He was jailed for 15 months.

Underwood and Wynn appeared at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday along with ambulance worker William Moxham, 59, of Friar Close, Haverhill.

Each defendant pleaded guilty to 16 specimen offences of downloading child pornography from the internet.

The court heard that Wynn, of Howe Road, Haverhill had downloaded some of the worst pornographic images, which depicted children and adults.

Police discovered 800 pictures, which were deemed of being at level four. The more sadistic images being at level five, at the top of the scale.

Wynn's computer was seized along with printed pictures, children's underwear kept in a margarine tub and other garments which were soiled.

Matthew Buckland mitigating, said Wynn needed help rather than prison, but Judge John Hold said: "These offences mean you must go to prison."

He was jailed for 15 months and his licence was extended meaning probation would be supporting him for an extra three years after his release.

Underwood who had an unblemished record as a teacher throughout England and across the Middle East, was also jailed for downloading child pornography.

Police examined 2,500 pictures out of the 50,000 they found. One thousand of those ranged between levels one and four when his home was searched.

Mr Buckland said: "He took responsibility for what he did and has shown a great deal of remorse."

He said Underwood suffered with poor health and had ruined his life by offending.

Judge Holt said: "Almost half the images were clearly at level four which is a particularly disgusting type of pornography."

He jailed Underwood for eight months.

Moxham had downloaded about 3,000 images mainly at level one, the lowest end of the scale.

John Kineer mitigating, said Moxham had worked for the ambulance service for 33 years, but had taken early retirement because of the court case.

Judge Holt said the pictures at level one were of children in erotic but not sexual poses.

Moxham, who is married with two grown up sons was told to carry out a three year community rehabilitation order.

All the defendants were ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register.