An Ofsted inspector who admitted making indecent images of children and grooming a child online has been jailed for two years.

Adam Higgins, 48, of Maypole Close, Saffron Walden, was arrested by Essex Police in September last year.

The arrest came after information about Higgins was passed to Essex Police by the National Crime Agency. Officers acted swiftly and arrested Higgins.

Following a thorough investigation by the Police Online Investigation Team, Higgins was charged with three sexual offences, including two counts of making indecent images of children and one charge of inciting a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

At the time of his arrest Higgins was working as an inspector for Ofsted.

He was suspended from his role and later resigned in November 2014.

Higgins admitted the offences and was today jailed at Chelmsford Crown Court for two years.

After the sentencing, Det Insp Daniel Stoten of Essex Police’s Crime and Public Protection Command, said: “I welcome the fact that from today, thanks to the hard work and dedication of my officers, Higgins will be behind bars where he belongs.

“This man held a position of trust which makes the fact that he was making indecent images of children and grooming a young boy online even more despicable.

“We conducted a thorough investigation and have found no further evidence other than the offences for which he was charged.

“The protection of children remains of utmost priority for Essex Police and we would continue to encourage anyone with information about individuals involved in any form of child abuse to report it to us via 101 or 999.”

Higgins was also put on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and was made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.