A TEACHING assistant has been told he could face jail after he admitted attempting to groom a pupil.

Matthew Settle worked as a special support assistant at Castlebrook High School in Unsworth until he resigned in June.

Earlier this year, police searched the 26-year-old’s home in Sunnybank Road, Bury, and took away his computer for investigation.

They found 6,293 images of child pornography.

A more detailed search found conversations between someone who had used the computer and a 13-year-old Castlebrook pupil.

It later emerged that Settle had set up a fake Facebook profile and posed as a boy.

Settle then sent pornographic images of a boy and a girl to his victim, claiming they were of him and his sister in an attempt to persuade him to respond in kind.

Settle appeared at Bolton Crown Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to inciting a 13-year-old boy to engage in sexual activity and, in doing so, abusing a position of trust and to making an indecent image.

Both charges were dated July 1, 2014.

Settle also pleaded guilty to six counts of possessing child pornography.

The court heard that police were investigating a "possible second victim".

Settle was remanded in custody and a pre-sentence report will now be drawn up before a sentencing hearing on October 5.

Recorder Mark Ainsworth told Settle, who has been placed on the sex offenders' register: "Clearly, these are serious matters and the court will be considering all sentencing options including prison."

A Bury Council spokesman said: “It is always a very serious matter when a school employee is accused of offences such as these, which is why it is so important that the council and the school have robust procedures in place to safeguard children.

“When these allegations came to light, Settle was suspended from duty immediately pending the outcome of a police investigation and, even though he resigned from the school, was referred to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

“While Settle has now been brought to justice, it is reassuring that such cases are extremely rare, and we will continue to take all possible steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our young people.”