A TEACHER who sent a naked picture of himself to a child has been jailed.

Michael White, of Cotswold Road, Westcliff, groomed a girl aged under 13, making inappropriate suggestions before sending the picture to her.

The former maths teacher admitted inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity after being caught and charged.

Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC condemned the actions of White, 26, and jailed him for three years and four months at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Judge Goldstaub said: “This matter has had a huge impact on the school as well as on the girl's family. It’s had a serious effect and done a lot of harm.

“You abused the trust placed in you by the child’s parents and the school, your employers, and anyone who does that can expect to go to prison.”

White, now a telesales adviser, had been due to join another school but was instantly dismissed when the allegations were made.

Glenda Thompson, prosecuting, told the court on the days in question White spent ten hours sending messages to the girl about what he wanted to do with her before sending the picture.

The girl’s mother checked her tablet and discovered what White had been doing. The incident took place on March 27, 2014.

Cyrus Schrof, mitigating, said: “He’s struggling to explain his behaviour, it was totally out of character – it came out without any warning whatsoever.

“He struggles to understand how he became engaged in such conversations. He’s ruined his life – it was utter stupidity and foolishness.”

White admitted inciting a girl aged under 13 to engage in sexual activity in January.

He was sentenced on February 1.

White was also given a sexual harm prevention order for ten years banning him from specific contact with children and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.