A TEACHER who admitted inciting sexual activity with children using fake social media accounts has been jailed.

Cory Baptiste, 24, previously of Fanns Rise in Purfleet, was sentenced to four years imprisonment for sexual offences, but this was reduced to two years eight months due to an early guilty plea.

He admitted five offences of abuse of a position of trust: one of causing or inciting sexual activity with a boy aged 13-17, one of causing or inciting sexual activity with a girl aged 13-17, one of causing a child under 13 to watch a sexual act and two of causing a child aged 13-17 to watch a sexual act.

He also admitted failing to appear in court on August 12.

He absconded to Spain but was apprehended in Barcelona on Thursday, October 6 following a Spanish National Police led operation supported by the National Crime Agency and Essex Police.

Baptiste, a former teacher at the Ockendon Academy, in Erriff Drive, South Ockendon, was given a further four months imprisonment for failing to answer his bail, making the total sentence three years.

Baptiste was arrested on Tuesday, January 6, this year.

Essex Police’s Online Investigation Team launched an enquiry following a referral from the National Crime Agency.

He used fake social media accounts including Facebook and Snapchat in the names of Daniel Jenkins, Danielle Mason and Dan Bounce Jenny to commit the offences.

Investigating Officer Dc Adam Stallard said: "Baptiste was in a position of trust as a teacher and he abused that.

"He also tried to escape the justice system by not meeting his bail and going on the run to Spain. His victims have demonstrated bravery and dignity - Baptiste demonstrated cowardice in trying to evade facing up to his despicable crimes.

"I would like to thank The Ockendon Academy for their help during this investigation and the NCA and the Spanish authorities for their assistance in bringing this man to justice.”