A religious education teacher who convinced his mistress to have sex with a dog has been jailed for six months for possessing child pornography.

Married Jeffrey Jones, 61, from Coulsdon, taught religious studies and English to youngsters at a secondary school in Warlingham, Surrey, for more than 34 years but in his spare time ran an extreme swingers club with his mistress in Essex.

Would-be members had to send x-rated photos of themselves before they could become a part of the sex club, Southwark Crown Court heard.

One hopeful was convicted paedophile Patrick Regan who made contact with Jones and his blonde mistress over the internet.

Regan, who was being monitored by police after he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl, demonstrated his 'open-mindedness' by sending Jones a library of child pornography, including one picture that depicted an 18-month-old baby.

He and the teacher then discussed having sex with a seven-year-old girl.

The court heard that Jones typed a string of tell-tale key phrases into his search engine 'demonstrating his sexual interest' with children.

He also bragged about persuading his lover to have sex with a Labrador dog called Dylan, the court heard.

Jones admitted downloading 259 indecent pictures of children.

Sentencing Jones yesterday, Judge Gregory Stone QC said: "These were very serious offences and only a sentence of immediate custody is appropriate.

"This sort of activity affects children. Our society has an enormous revulsion for those who injure children because we are a society who cares for them."

The judge said he did not believe the defendant had intended to directly sexually abuse any children.

Jones, of Kerrill Avenue, Coulsdon, took early retirement from his teaching post following his arrest in February last year.

He admitted seven counts of downloading indecent pictures of children between June 6, 2005, and June 6, 2006.

His mistress, who remains in a relationship with Jones, wept as he was led to the cells.

Jones was ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for seven years.

Roger Daniells-Smith, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was arrested after police carried out dawn raids on his home and premises in Essex where he and his mistress ran the club.

Computers and hundreds of indecent images were seized, one of which showed an adult having sex with a young child.

"Mr Jones and his partner were engaging in sexual activity with strangers, taking part in group sex and threesomes at her house," he told the court.

"They ran a swingers club which they advertised on the internet.

"In order to vet responses to the adverts Mr Jones engaged in conversations with various people to check them out for their suitability.

"It was in that context that he came into contact with Mr Regan who impressed Jones with his depravity.

"He told the defendant what he was into and what he was prepared to do.

"Regan downloaded indecent images of children to indicate how broad-minded he was and Jones responded by saying how much he enjoyed them."