A teacher has been jailed three and a half years after being caught with more than 43,000 indecent images of children and two “paedophile manuals”.

Charles Cornelius, 57, taught English and worked with young people in multiple countries. He had been living in Thailand and working with the British Council, while he stockpiled “horrific” child abuse images.

The NCA revealed how an account linked to Cornelius had uploaded ten indecent images of children to the internet when he visited the UK in June 2022.

The defendant, from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, was arrested by officers from the NCA at Manchester Airport on 9 August 2023 when he returned to the UK.

He was not cooperative with detectives, giving a “no comment” interview. He was released on bail and banned from returning to Thailand while cops investigated the case.

Detectives discovered thousands of of known and AI generated child sexual abuse materials on his devices, as well as prompts used to create the AI images.

He was also found to be in possession of two self-generated paedophile manuals, despite his efforts to encrypt devices and conceal the disgusting material.

He was sentenced to three and half years at Chester Crown Court today after pleading guilty to the possession and production of indecent images of children and the possession of the paedophile manuals at Manchester Magistrates Court in September.

Speaking outside the court Danielle Pownall, NCA operations manager, said: “Cornelius sought out and created images showing horrific abuse of children, including using AI to create further depraved imagery.

“His creation of paedophile manuals reflects a disturbing desire to prey on the most vulnerable in society. He did all this whilst putting himself in a position of trust around children.

“The NCA is committed to prosecuting criminals who engage in child sexual abuse activity and pursue justice for victims.”

As well as the jail time Cornelius was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and indefinite Sex Offender Registration.