A school caretaker who admitted spying on a 17-year-old teenager has resigned.

Peter Brennan, 50, was working and living at Beatrix Potter School, in Magdalen Road, Wandsworth, when he was caught looking at the girl for "sexual gratification" through her window in East Putney.

Brennan was suspended from his job and instructed not to leave his house during school hours as soon as the school heard about the incident on December 14 last year.

After he pleaded guilty at South Western Magistrates' Court on Friday, January 6, he resigned from his job as caretaker at the school.

A spokesman for the school said: "We can confirm that the school's former caretaker has resigned with immediate effect following his conviction at the magistrates' court for a criminal offence.

"He has vacated his home in the school grounds and will not be returning to the school.

"The offence he pleaded guilty to was not connected with the school in any way.

"It was committed a considerable distance away from the school grounds and outside school hours."

It is understood Brennan was caught looking through the woman's window at about 10pm on December 14. He had never been in trouble with the police before and the last routine Criminal Records Bureau check carried out by Wandsworth Council in October 2004 came back clear.

Brennan was not legally obliged to resign or give up his house but after a talk with Beatrix Potter headteacher Steph Neale on Monday, January 9, he agreed to leave immediately.

It is understood Brennan was away for most of the period in between December 14 and January 6, visiting Ireland for Christmas and New Year.

Sources said his wife will stay in the house for a few days to sort out their belongings.

A spokesman for the school said: "The offence is not connected in any way with List 99 and the current national controversy over unsuitable teachers being cleared to work in schools."

Brennan will appear at South Western Magistrates' Court on Friday, January 27, for sentencing.