A former assistant headteacher at Ipswich School accused of making more than 44,000 indecent images of children has had his case committed to crown court.

William Stansbury, formerly of Dock Street, Stokebridge Maltings, Ipswich, is facing five charges spanning a period of seven-and-a-half years.

The 45-year-old, who also previously taught at Culford School, near Bury St Edmunds, made a brief appearance at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court today.

The allegations facing Stansbury involve 44,132 images, allegedly ranging from level one – the least serious grading for child pornography, to levels four and five, which are the most serious categories.

Due to the seriousness of the charges the court had declined jurisdication.

District Judge Celia Dawson committed Stansbury to Ipswich Crown Court, where he is now due to appear on March 15.

Stansbury, now of Glenmoor Road, West Parley, Ferndown, Dorset, was released on bail with three conditions attached.

The first is that he must reside in Ferndown. Secondly, he must inform police of any change of address.

The third condition is that Stansbury can not teach or coach any person under the age of 18 for any subject while on bail.