Teacher Alexander Thomas guilty of child sex offences
A teacher who "groomed" pupils using Facebook and asked for photos of them in their underwear has been found guilty of child sex offences.
Alexander Thomas of Taw Hill, Swindon, was found guilty of five counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity while in a position of trust.
He was found not guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust.
Thomas, 30, will be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on 13 June.
'Vulnerable and underage'
The Wiltshire secondary school teacher also pleaded guilty to an eighth count of possessing an indecent photograph of a child during his trial last week.
Child abuse investigator Det Insp Angela Spray, from Wiltshire Police, said Thomas had "systematically abused his position of trust" in order to "prey on vulnerable, underage children for his own sexual gratification".
She said: "Thomas groomed his victims and encouraged them to engage in sexual acts after gaining their confidence and trust.
"He has refused to take any responsibility for his actions and has forced his victims to relive their suffering and give evidence in court."
The court heard Thomas, a PE and business studies teacher, had used Facebook to gain the trust of four sixth form girls, aged 16 and 17.
He was arrested in October 2012, after teachers at his school became aware of rumours circulating between pupils.