Key Points
- Reece Burns, 19, of Rendal Close, Everton, was a teaching assistant trainee at Millstead Primary School, which is a special educational needs school located in Everton.
- Burns pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornography, and three offences of making indecent images under categories A, B and C.
- It was alleged before Liverpool Crown Court that there were 425 category A images (250 videos), 216 category B images (66 videos) and 56 category C images (two videos), making a total of 697 indecent images produced by Burns.
- Some of the images included babies, and Burns had been offending since he was 14 years old and for many years afterwards, according to court submissions.
- The defendant was arrested by Merseyside Police on May 5, 2025, and charged on June 10, 2026; he was dismissed from his employment upon being charged.
- Sentencing Burns on September 4, 2026, a judge ordered an 18-month community order with a 12-month mental health treatment requirement, “building better choices” programme, and 15 rehabilitation days, along with a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
- Millstead Primary School stated that they did not receive any cause for concern in relation to his employment, that he was supervised
Everton Crime (Liverpool standard) September 05, 2026 — A former apprentice teaching assistant from Everton appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing after admitting to offences involving hundreds of indecent images of children and extreme pornographic material. Reece Burns, 19, of Rendal Close, Everton, shielded his face as he left court following the hearing, according to reporting by the Liverpool ECHO and Lancs Live.
As reported by journalists at the Liverpool ECHO and Lancs Live, prosecutor Ian Hopkins told the court that the charges included 425 of the most serious category A indecent images, of which 250 were videos. There were also 216 category B images, 66 of which were videos, and 56 category C images, two of which were videos, with the total number of images made by Burns recorded at 697. The court heard that some of the material involved babies and that the offending period began when Burns was around 14 years old and continued for several years.
Burns, who has no previous convictions, previously worked as an apprentice teaching assistant at Millstead Primary School, a special educational needs school in Everton, but his employment was terminated when he was charged, according to statements provided to the court and reported by the Liverpool ECHO. Merseyside Police said Burns was arrested on May 5, 2025, before being charged on June 10, 2026, the ECHO reports.
What sentence did the judge give Reece Burns?
In delivering the sentence, the judge remarked that over a span of three years Burns downloaded hundreds of images, many of which were category A, and that these were serious offences with sentencing guidelines suggesting a starting point of 12 months’ imprisonment. The judge noted that, given aggravating factors, the term could extend, but ultimately imposed a non‑custodial sentence.
He sentenced Burns to an 18‑month community order with a 12‑month mental health treatment requirement and a “building better choices” programme requirement, as well as 15 rehabilitation days. A five‑year Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also issued, with the judge telling Burns he must stay out of trouble for 18 months and that there would be extensive work with the probation service and numerous appointments to keep.
What did the school say about safeguarding and employment checks?
Parents and carers at Millstead Primary School were informed of the conviction ahead of the sentencing, with the school releasing a letter seen by the Liverpool ECHO and signed by executive headteacher Mrs Michelle Beard. In the letter, Mrs Beard explained that the school carried out “rigorous safeguarding procedures” and “thorough pre‑employment checks”, and that no concerns were raised during Burns’ employment before he was sacked when charged.
A Millstead School spokesperson said: “Although these offences did not involve our pupils, our thoughts are with those affected. As is the case with all apprentice teaching assistants, Mr Burns was supervised at all times.” The spokesperson added: “We have rigorous safeguarding procedures in place, and we carry out thorough pre‑employment checks on all staff and agency workers before they join our team. No concerns were raised about his conduct during his employment and his employment was terminated when he was charged.” The school also stated it had worked closely with the Local Education Authority to ensure that all relevant safeguarding procedures had been followed.
How did the case proceed through court?
Burns first appeared in court on August 12, 2026, and returned to Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, September 4, for sentencing, having pleaded guilty to possession of indecent images, possession of extreme images, and three counts of making indecent images of children across categories A, B and C. The charges were brought following an investigation by Merseyside Police, which led to his arrest in May 2025 and subsequent charging in June 2026.
Reporting by the Liverpool ECHO and Lancs Live noted that Burns concealed his face as he exited the courthouse following sentencing, and that the judge emphasised the seriousness of the offences while outlining the conditions of the community order and the Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The court was told that most of the images were old, with the offending period starting when he was around 14 and continuing for several years, and that some of the images were particularly disturbing, involving infants.
Background: How did this development unfold?
The case emerged after Merseyside Police arrested Burns on May 5, 2025, and later charged him on June 10, 2026, with offences relating to indecent images of children and extreme pornography. He was employed as an apprentice teaching assistant at Millstead Primary School in Everton until his employment was terminated when he was charged, according to court submissions and the school’s statement.
The school’s letter to parents, seen by the Liverpool ECHO, outlined that rigorous safeguarding procedures and thorough pre‑employment checks were in place, and that no concerns were raised during his time at the school. The spokesperson stressed that Burns was supervised at all times and that the offences did not involve the school’s pupils, while confirming cooperation with the Local Education Authority on safeguarding matters. The sentencing on September 4, 2026, concluded the criminal proceedings with a community order, mental health treatment requirement, rehabilitation days, and a five‑year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Prediction: How could this affect parents, schools and the local community?
This development is likely to heighten scrutiny of safeguarding practices in schools, particularly regarding apprentice and agency staff, and may prompt reviews of supervision arrangements and pre‑employment vetting processes. For parents in Everton and across Liverpool, the case could increase anxiety about child safety in educational settings, even where schools assert that offences did not involve their pupils and that procedures were followed.
For schools, the outcome may lead to more frequent communication with parents about safeguarding measures, additional training for staff, and closer oversight of apprentices and temporary workers. For the local community, the case could reinforce calls for transparent reporting of safeguarding incidents and stronger support for mental health interventions for young offenders, given the court’s emphasis on treatment and rehabilitation in the sentence.
