A SCHOOL worker has being accused of committing a sex offence involving a pupil.

Matthew Settle, aged 26, of Sunnybank Road, Unsworth, worked as a special support assistant at Castlebrook High School in Unsworth and was suspended when a police investigation began in mid June. He has since resigned from the role.

Last week, Settle was charged with inciting a 13-year-old boy to engage in sexual activity and, in doing so, abusing a position of trust.

The alleged victim cannot be named for legal reasons.

Settle was also charged with incitement to make indecent photographs of a child and six counts of possessing indecent photographs. Those six charges relate to 6,293 images.

Police investigating such cases put photographs into categories A, B and C, with category A being the most serious category.

Of the photographs under examination, 165 fall under category A, 239 in category B and 5,889 in category C.

Settle appeared before Bury magistrates last week and did not enter a plea.

He was remanded in custody and will next appear at Bolton Crown Court on August 10.

After the hearing, a Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "The charges follow an investigation by police officers in Bury supported by Greater Manchester Police's sexual crimes unit."

A Bury Council spokesman said: "We can confirm that a former employee at one of our high schools has been charged with offences involving children and indecent images.

"Bury Council and the school have robust measures in place to safeguard children and young people.

"In accordance with procedures, the person was suspended from duty immediately pending the outcome of a police investigation and has since resigned from the school and is being referred to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

"As the matter is under police jurisdiction, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."