CITY university chiefs could take disciplinary action against a convicted paedophile who was spared prison over fears he could lose his degree place.

Barry Shaw was given a community order this week at Southampton Crown Court this week, after he was found with child porn on his laptop.

The 38-year-old, who was previously jailed after for the same offence, was spared a prison sentence after arguing he would lose his place at the University of Southampton.

But now bosses at the university say they could launch an internal disciplinary procedures against Shaw.

A spokesperson for the University of Southampton said: "The university does not condone any form of criminal activity.

"This is a complex situation where we had to wait for the judicial process to be completed before we can activate our own internal disciplinary procedures.

"In this case the university has worked closely with the police and the probation service to ensure that the necessary actions are in place to protect the health and safety of all of its staff, students and visitors.”