AN outdoor education centre has reviewed child safety procedures after the arrest of a director for his involvement in an international paedophile ring.

Managers of Marrick Priory yesterday reassured parents that charges faced by teacher Jonathan Garner-Harris did not relate to activities at the centre in Marrick, near Richmond, North Yorkshire.

The 37-year-old, who was a deputy director at the centre until his suspension, will be sentenced next month after he admitted his role in the systematic abuse of children.

Garner-Harris was arrested after a huge police investigation across Australia, the US, Japan and seven European countries.

At the heart was a Portsmouth couple who set up a nudist website as a guise for meeting other paedophiles.

The pair abused two children under 13, then shared photos and films of the abuse online.

Garner-Harris, of Marrick, admitted encouraging people visiting internet chat rooms to rape, sexually assault and touch children under 13 between May and October last year.

He also admitted 16 counts of making indecent images of children between December 2008 and June last year.

He will be sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court along with three others convicted of being part of the ring.

The Marrick Priory board of management said yesterday that staff and managers were shocked and dismayed when they learnt of the charges against the director.

A statement said: “As soon as the board of management was informed of police investigations in May of this year,Mr Garner-Harris was suspended from his post and subsequently resigned. He had no further contact with Marrick Priory.”

The board said that in light of the incident, and in consultation with the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Board, a further review of procedures has been conducted.

It said: “(The board) is satisfied that all steps have and are being made to ensure the continued safety and wellbeing of all who visit or stay at the priory.”

Police confirmed the charges did not relate to activities at the Yorkshire Dales centre.