A FORMER manager of a children’s nursery has been spared immediate jail time after being found with indecent images of children.

Sam Mummery, who was working at Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery, in Chapel Street, Billericay, up until he was first questioned by police, was handed a ten-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months.

Nursery bosses confirmed Mummery was a member of staff when he was arrested but was immediately suspended.

He was subsequently fired “without ever working again in the nursery”.

None of the offending images concerned children in the nursery.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Mummery was snared after making admissions in an internet chat room to an undercover police officer.

The moving and still images found on his home computer involved children as young as 18 months.

Mummery, 36, of Clifton Walk, Dartford was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work for the community and pay £425 court costs.

A spokesman for Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery said: “As soon as the individual concerned was questioned he was immediately suspended and subsequently let go without ever working again in the nursery.”

In a letter sent to parents, the nursery’s directors said: “The police confirmed this arrest related to crimes committed outside of work.

“With further investigation they confirmed at no point had Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries been part of their investigation.

“We were assured with confirmations that the nursery was not involved and therefore not a part of the investigations.”

A follow up email apologised to parents for not keeping them all informed throughout the investigation and admitted once Mummery was convicted, parents should have been made aware sooner.

It added: “We are working on how to improve how we communicate and reach out to parents.”