AN ex-social worker who downloaded hundreds of child abuse images has been struck off.

Christopher Stanley Hole, formerly employed by Monmouthshire County Council (MCC), was jailed in August for two years and placed indefinitely on the sex offenders register.

A fitness to practice panel was held on the 15th October by the Care Council of Wales to determine whether Hole breeched the standards of the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers.

The panel heard how Hole of Wyndham Terrace, Risca, had downloaded a total of nearly 200 indecent images and videos of children under category A, the most serious form of child abuse. He also downloaded hundreds of category B and category C images and videos.

The Care Council of Wales heard how Hole’s computer was uploading indecent images as police officers arrived at his address.

Chairman Nia Roberts said: “We have carefully considered the evidence today and the panel has decided to impose a removal order.

“We consider this an extremely grave matter which had a serious impact on vulnerable children.

“By downloading peer to peer software he was in an active network of contributors. This was not an isolated incident.

“Mr Hole’s behaviour is fundamentally incompatible with the social care profession.”

Hole was employed as a social worker for nearly two decades before being struck off.