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A TEACHER who performed a sex act in front of a schoolboy on the internet has been spared jail.
Christopher Daniels was sentenced to a two-year community payback order for the offence and for having indecent images of children.
The 29-year-old was working as an IT tutor at Lossiemouth High School in Moray when he exposed himself to the 15-year-old over a webcam.
Last month, Daniels admitted intentionally causing the boy to look at a sexual image by performing a sex act during a video call at his house in Lossiemouth on July 2, last year.
He further admitted having indecent images of children between December 31, 2011, and January 10 this year.
Sentence was deferred until yesterday so that a string of reports, including a psychiatric assessment, could be prepared and he was put on the sex offenders register.
The court previously heard how the young victims mum contacted police after finding a string of messages between her son and Daniels on the familys computer.
The teachers home was searched by Grampian Police officers in January this year.
Solicitor Stephen Carty said Daniels had already been punished by the fact that his career as a teacher had ended.
He said: This has had quite an impact on him.
Sheriff Susan Raeburn said Daniels would be supervised for two years as part of the order and would have to attend a sex offenders programme.
Daniels will remain on the sex offenders register for two years.
A Moray Council spokesman said Daniels left his job at the school before the case had concluded.
He added: He is no longer employed by the council.
He could now face education chiefs at the General Teaching Council.
A spokesman said Daniels was currently banned from working at any school.