News Police · view source
Mathew Gilkes
Age 47 · Lancashire
Case and court outcome
- Case reference
- O-9111
- Court
- Preston Crown Court
- Plea
- Gilkes, 47, formerly of Harrison Road, Chorley, who taught at a high school in Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty in November last year to 42 charges including operate equipment beneath clothing of another without consent, commonly known as upskirting.
- Verdict
- Gilkes, 47, formerly of Harrison Road, Chorley, who taught at a high school in Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty in November last year to 42 charges including operate equipment beneath clothing of another without consent, commonly known as upskirting.
- Sentence type
- Immediate custody
- Extended licence
- He appeared at Preston Crown Court this week where he was jailed for 16 years with an additional five year licence.
Orders and requirements
- Prevention order
- He was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Source-checked editorial summary
This record is based on the public reports listed below and was last checked on August 22, 2026. Court outcomes may later change through appeals, resentencing, corrections or updated reporting.
What happened
Mathew Gilkes, 47, from Lancashire, was convicted in a case recorded by the court.
Sexual predator Mathew Gilkes also used fake social media accounts to pose as a teenager to groom and manipulate girls to send him indecent images and videos of themselves.
The official report from News Police records the case.
Gilkes’ prolific offending was unmasked when he was caught taking pictures of children at a leisure centre in Chorley in August 2024.
A trace of his vehicle leaving the car park led to him being identified and arrested.
A search of his home and workplace uncovered more than 80 devices including mobile devices, computers and laptops – including a school issue laptop -, spy pens, handheld cameras and memory cards containing thousands of indecent images of children.
Many of the images Gilkes had taken were of pupils at his school where he worked as an ICT teacher using cameras disguised as pens and tiny cube cameras.
As well as taking images Gilkes also posed online as a teenge boy talking to a large number of underage girls, grooming them and pressurising them to send images to him.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a sexual offence report it online via https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/ or call 101.
Specialist support for anyone in Lancashire affected by sexual violence is available through Victim Support.
Funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, their specially trained professionals offer free, confidential, and non-judgemental support.
They listen, provide emotional and practical help, and prioritise safety and confidentiality.
Further information is available at victimsupport.org.uk/lancashire.
Investigation and court case
Gilkes, 47, formerly of Harrison Road, Chorley, who taught at a high school in Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty in November last year to 42 charges including operate equipment beneath clothing of another without consent, commonly known as upskirting, engaging in sexual communication with a child, indecent images of children offences and cause / incite a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.
DC McClave said: “Mathew Gilkes is a highly dangerous man who has shown persistent predatory behaviour towards young girls who he has taking advantage of, groomed and exploited for his own sexual gratification.
The victims in this case have shown incredible bravery in speaking about what happened to them and I commend them for their courage.
I hope…”
Sentence and restrictions
Gilkes appeared at Preston Crown Court this week where he received a prison sentence of 16 years with an additional five year licence.
Gilkes was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.