The Lincolnshire Echo has apologised to a school teacher after inadvertently identifying him as a man who admitted an indecency offence in court.

He had the same name as the real accused and the Echo ran a previously published photo of him in a sailor costume at a school event alongside the story.

Lincolnshire teacher, David Mawson, has received an apology from The Echo over the story, in which a police community support officer of the same name appeared in court charged with inciting a child to send indecent photos to him.

Editor Jon Grubb said: "The picture we used was positively identified by the reporter – who does not work for the Echo – as the defendant who was in court.

"We e-mailed this picture to the reporter and it was when he confirmed the identity that the picture was used."

The teacher and the offender had the same name, lived in the same city and were of similar ages.

The Echo apology said: "On page 5 of Friday's Echo, we reported on a court case involving David Mawson of Eastbourne Street, Lincoln under the headline PCSO sent indecent photos to girl, 14.

"We incorrectly used a photograph of David Mawson, a teacher at Millfield Community Primary School in Heighington.

"Mr Mawson, the teacher, has absolutely no connection with this case and we apologise unreservedly for any distress this may have caused."

It is unclear whether the teacher will take legal action.