A FORMER Torbay teacher, who sexually abused a teenage boy over a two-week period and was also caught with child porn pictures on his computer, has been warned he could face up to 15 months behind bars.

At Exeter Crown Court Christopher Davey, 45, from McKay Avenue, Torquay, admitted molesting a boy.

He pleaded guilty to two indecent assaults on a boy aged under 16 when his trial was due to start yesterday.

He also admitted possessing three indecent pictures of children.

A third count of indecent assault, to which Davey pleaded not guilty, will be left on the file when he is sentenced later this month.

Davey sexually touched the schoolboy, on two separate occasions, although this did not happen at a school.

The court heard there had been an investigation into Davey's background and there was nothing to suggest he had committed any offences against any other youngsters.

Prosecutor Malcolm Galloway said the Crown was prepared to accept these guilty pleas, having consulted with the victim.

The jury had been due to be sworn in yesterday, with witnesses ready to give evidence.

The court was told Davey could face a maximum of 15 months in jail, although this would not be taking into account his guilty plea or any personal mitigation.

Mr Galloway did not tell the court about the circumstances of the offences, at this stage, except that the boy had told Davey to stop what he was doing.

He said the indecent images were all graded at level one, which is the lowest on a scale leading up to level five, which is the worst possible.

"Police have looked into his background," said the prosecutor. "He had substantial contact with other children and there is nothing to suggest this demonstrates similar behaviour towards other children. I'm not suggesting Your Honour will face any other surprises in the pre-sentence report.

"The effect on his career is that it has been extinguished."

He added there would be an application for a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to be imposed when Davey was sentenced. He would also automatically be banned from working with children.

Defence counsel Piers Norsworthy said: "Mr Davey is a man of good character who was a teacher.

"Following the charges, he was suspended with full pay and, subsequent to that, he has put in his resignation and will never be able to work in that category again."

"There was no element of threats," said Mr Norsworthy. "There was no suggestion the victim should keep it a secret."

He applied for the case to be adjourned for reports. Davey, in a dark suit, remained silent throughout the proceedings except to give his guilty pleas.

Judge Stephen Wildblood QC told Davey he would sentence him on Friday, November 27.

He has already signed an interim Sex Offenders' Register notice.

Judge Wildblood released Davey on unconditional bail and told him: "It is in your interests to cooperate with the probation service in drawing up your report."

Torbay Council, the local education authority, refused to confirm or deny whether Davey had been a teacher in Torbay and, when challenged by the Herald Express, was unable to say under what legislation its information was limited.

A spokesman said: "Torbay Council is unable to confirm or deny whether named individuals are employees of the council."