This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7914758.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Police hunt 'radioactive teacher' Police hunt 'radioactive' teacher
(about 12 hours later)
Police are hunting a "dangerously radioactive" London college principal who skipped bail shortly before facing trial on child pornography charges.Police are hunting a "dangerously radioactive" London college principal who skipped bail shortly before facing trial on child pornography charges.
"Chronically ill" Thomas Leopold, 42, head of a tutorial college in Harrow, Middlesex, was given large doses of radiation for a thyroid condition."Chronically ill" Thomas Leopold, 42, head of a tutorial college in Harrow, Middlesex, was given large doses of radiation for a thyroid condition.
He then drove on to a ferry heading for Rosslare in County Wexford, south-east Ireland, and has not been seen since. He then drove on to a ferry heading for Rosslare in County Wexford, Irish Republic, and has not been seen since.
Mr Leopold faces five charges of allegedly downloading illegal images.Mr Leopold faces five charges of allegedly downloading illegal images.
His doctor confirmed he is dangerous, in terms of radioactivity, for a period of six weeks after treatment Jeannie Mackay, defendingHis doctor confirmed he is dangerous, in terms of radioactivity, for a period of six weeks after treatment Jeannie Mackay, defending
Jeannie Mackay, defending, said her client, who was in "chronic poor health", was on his own and "wasn't in contact with others".Jeannie Mackay, defending, said her client, who was in "chronic poor health", was on his own and "wasn't in contact with others".
She told Southwark Crown Court: "His doctor confirmed he is dangerous, in terms of radioactivity, for a period of six weeks after treatment."She told Southwark Crown Court: "His doctor confirmed he is dangerous, in terms of radioactivity, for a period of six weeks after treatment."
Judge John Price, who issued a warrant for his arrest, said: "Please warn officers that when he is arrested he might be radioactive. This is not a joke."Judge John Price, who issued a warrant for his arrest, said: "Please warn officers that when he is arrested he might be radioactive. This is not a joke."
He accused Mr Leopold of "doing everything to make it as difficult as he can to let the trial go ahead".He accused Mr Leopold of "doing everything to make it as difficult as he can to let the trial go ahead".
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We would appeal for anyone who knows his whereabouts to contact police."A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We would appeal for anyone who knows his whereabouts to contact police."
Radiation cardRadiation card
Mr Leopold, a former banker from Hammersmith, west London, faces five charges of making and possessing child pornography after downloading a library of the forbidden material in 2006.Mr Leopold, a former banker from Hammersmith, west London, faces five charges of making and possessing child pornography after downloading a library of the forbidden material in 2006.
Nick Mather, prosecuting, explained the defendant's trial was eventually rescheduled for 9 February this year.Nick Mather, prosecuting, explained the defendant's trial was eventually rescheduled for 9 February this year.
But four days before the hearing he drove on to a ferry at Fishguard, South Wales.But four days before the hearing he drove on to a ferry at Fishguard, South Wales.
Although stopped and questioned by Special Branch officers at the time, they released him after he showed them his radiation card and insisted his bail conditions had been changed so he could visit his mother in Ireland.Although stopped and questioned by Special Branch officers at the time, they released him after he showed them his radiation card and insisted his bail conditions had been changed so he could visit his mother in Ireland.