The sister of a PE teacher who was suspended after naked pictures of him appeared on a gay porn website has spoken out in his defence.

Sam Handley, a keen hockey player, was sent home from Folkestone’s Harvey Grammar School for Boys when the story broke in a national newspaper last week.

His sister Sophie Desai said: “Sam is desperate to clear his name. The pictures were taken a few years ago before he was a teacher.

“He had no idea they would be used in this way. Sam is not gay and has a steady girlfriend.

“He has been a bit naive but has done nothing wrong. The photos were not taken for this purpose.

“The first he knew of it was when he turned up at school and everyone was talking about it.

“He was shocked. We have no idea how this has happened.”

The pictures have now been removed from the website.

Mr Handley, 25, of Willesborough, plays hockey for Ashford and earlier this year scored a last-gasp goal that took the team into the Kent Cup final for the first time in 35 years.

He has also done a lot of charity work, raising money for the Kent Air Ambulance and Cancer Research through sporting challenges.

Tony Post, who runs the bar at the hockey club and is a friend of Mr Handley’s, said: “Sam is a lovely man and loves his job. He is very popular and has a lovely girlfriend.”

First team captain Chris Smith said Mr Handley did not play on Saturday.
He added: “Regardless of what he has done it will not affect him playing hockey. I hope he will continue to play for us.”

A spokesman for the Harvey said: “The principal has suspended a member of staff following certain allegations and an investigation is underway.

“It would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this stage.”

In 2006, Kristina Howells, a supply music teacher, was sacked from the Harvey after appearing topless in Cosmopolitan magazine. It is understood the pictures were taken before she joined the school.